Each week we feature one of the many ministries that make up the work and witness of All Saints Church. This week we feature the Contemplative Prayer Ministry with these reflections.
The goal of Centering Prayer is to expand and deepen our consciousness through the practice of self-surrender and focused attentiveness to be receptive to the indwelling of the Divine – the Father, Son and Holy Spirit/Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer. It is a discipline of intentional silence, where in trusting faith, we empty our self as lived on our terms to receive, by grace, the love of God on God’s terms. The practice of Centering Prayer allows us to move toward the center of our being where Divine love becomes mysteriously interwoven within, by clearing a way for the condition of Grace to be given.
Centering Prayer Stories
“A conversion experience for me has been the practice of contemplative pray-er. This practice of resting in silent submission and openness to the Divine has allowed the Divine to pierce my being in deeply transformative ways. These 20 minute sits have slowly opened my being to deeper truths about myself resulting in inner transformation. I more easily recognize in my daily life the unloving ways I behave. The practice has also allowed me to welcome digging into the hard places of my soul because I am held cracked open in Presence during the sits. Deep healing of my spirit begins to happen. I find holding the silence to be hard work as I struggle to nurture the intention of surrender to the Divine. But, little by little, the fruits of this spiritual practice have been felt in my soul and the result is greater inner happiness found in my daily life.” — Elizabeth
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“I am very happy to finally find fellowship with others who seek Christ meditatively. For many years I have struggled to find Christians who, like me, seek divinity inwardly. Every Tuesday evening in the Chapel, we gather to meditate and discuss readings about Christian meditation by classic authors. Until this experience I did not realize that meditation could be a basis for Christian devotion.” — Brian
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“I have practiced Centering Prayer for two years now. This practice of “self surrender” has had a profound impact on how I live my daily life. I experience a deeper connection to people and all of creation. It seems a veil has been lifted and the Divinity of God has been revealed to me in mysterious ways. I am truly grateful to have a community of individuals to share this with at ASC.” — Carol
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Centering Prayer is offered Tuesday evenings at 6:45 p.m. in the Chapel.
Centering Prayer is a meditation practice that is centered in the contemplative Christian tradition. A sacred word is chosen as your symbol of intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. Your word is used to focus your attention so that when thoughts or sensations arise you return gently to the sacred word. The prayer is done in silence for a 20 minute period.
For more information contact Ana Camacho at acamacho@allsaints-pas.org or 626.583.2737
