Covenant News

Centering Prayer: Rediscovering God's Presence

CHICAGO, IL (March 9, 2005) - Each Monday evening, more than a dozen people gather at North Park Covenant Church to engage in centering prayer, a form of prayer that is as old as the early church, but which had been lost to many until recently.

Centering prayer differs from other forms in that it is reflective and seeks stillness rather than being more verbal or mental. Participants focus on a word of scripture or other word that comes to mind during this time of contemplation in an effort to push aside the many outside thoughts that race constantly through their lives, says Ingrid Kenron, who heads the ministry.

Centering prayer has gained new adherents during the past several decades due in large part to the writings of Basil Pennington, Thomas Merton and Thomas Keating. A centering prayer group had been meeting at the church for the past three years, but recently had a daylong session to introduce the form of prayer to others. About 18 people attended the classes, Kenron says.

Members of the group also have committed to 20 minutes of centering prayer twice a day, says Kenron. In addition to prayer, the Monday evening sessions include time to discuss with each other what barriers might exist to keep participants from accomplishing the goal. Participants also will view videos over the next five weeks of Keating's discussions about centering prayer.

Kenron says she has experienced a definite change in her behavior and outlook since starting her own journey with centering prayer three years ago. "I never knew in all my Christian upbringing that God was in us," she says, adding that God's presence "has nothing to do with whether I am able to pray out loud in a group or trying to be good." Kenron says.

Prior to her experience with centering prayer, Kenron says she carried out religious duties with the wrong attitude. "For years, it was like I had to do this, get this done - I was totally preoccupied," she says. "Now I'm a lot more in touch with my environment. I can connect more with people. I'm not afraid of engaging people in conversation," including those who are struggling with hardships. "Now I can let the conversation go wherever it will go."

To learn more about centering prayer, visit the centering prayer website at www.centeringprayer.com and select the centering prayer link.

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