Prayer at its most basic level is a relationship with God. This means it primarily includes three elements. We can talk to God. We do this when we ask for help, speak words of praise, or maybe lament about some painful thing in our lives. We can also listen to God. This happens when we go to God seeking wisdom or guidance. It can include seeking him for a comforting word or an experience of forgiveness. These are all forms of listening to God. The third element of prayer moves beyond talking to God or listening to Him. It is the most simple, but perhaps the most important. It is simply being with God.
Jesus gives primacy of importance to this aspect of our prayer life in John 15 where he defines the most important part of our relationship with God as abiding. This is a mystical union we share with God that exists beyond words or images.
Centering prayer is a practice that opens our heart to resting in this sort of abiding relationship with God. Typically, we must practice it for a while to experience the fruit of it. We recommend setting aside time to practice this prayer 1-2 times a day for 20-30 minutes. If you are new to this sort of prayer, you may want to begin with shorter intervals and work up to 20-30 minutes.
The method is adapted from Contemplative Outreach:
Step 1: Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
Step 2: Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and action within
Step 3: When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.
Step 4: At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.