Centering prayer is a simple way of praying in silence. You choose one short word as a sign of your intention to be open to God, sit quietly, and whenever you notice that you are thinking, you return gently to that word. That is all. The rest is practice.
The short version: choose a sacred word, sit with your eyes closed, introduce the word silently, and return to it gently whenever you drift. Twenty minutes is the classic length; eight minutes is a good place to begin.
Where centering prayer comes from
Centering prayer was developed in the 1970s by three Trappist monks at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts: William Meninger, Basil Pennington and Thomas Keating. They drew on much older sources, above all the anonymous 14th-century English classic The Cloud of Unknowing and the tradition of the Desert Fathers. Their aim was to make contemplative prayer, long associated with monasteries, accessible to anyone.
Thomas Keating later helped found the network Contemplative Outreach and explained the method in his book Open Mind, Open Heart (1986). Today centering prayer is practised in many churches and in groups that meet online and in person.
The four guidelines, in our own words
- Choose a sacred word. A short word of one or two syllables that expresses your intention to consent to God's presence: God, Abba, peace, love, shalom. The word is a sign of intention, not a mantra to repeat constantly.
- Sit and introduce the word. Sit comfortably, eyes closed. Settle for a moment, then introduce the word silently, as gently as laying a feather on cotton.
- Return ever so gently. When you notice you are engaged with thoughts, feelings, images or sensations, return to the sacred word. Thoughts are not the enemy. Noticing and returning is the prayer.
- Close in silence. At the end, stay with your eyes closed for a minute or two before going back to the day.
How centering prayer differs from other practices
From contemplative prayer in general. Contemplative prayer is the whole family of silent, receptive prayer. Centering prayer is one specific method inside it, designed to prepare for contemplation. Read more in our guide to contemplative prayer.
From mantra meditation. In mantra practice the word is repeated continuously. In centering prayer the sacred word is used only to return, and may fall away completely when you are simply present.
From mindfulness. Mindfulness trains attention to what is happening right now. Centering prayer is understood by those who practise it as a relationship: a consent to God's presence rather than an exercise in concentration. Many people find both useful.
An eight-minute centering prayer for beginners
- Minute 1. Sit upright, feet on the ground. Take one slow breath. Silently introduce your sacred word.
- Minutes 2 to 6. Rest. Each time you notice a thought pulling you away, return to the word, gently, without judgement.
- Minute 7. Let the word widen: hold one person in the same silence, then your city, then the world.
- Minute 8. Let the word go. Sit for a moment longer, then open your eyes.
A soft bell helps, so you do not have to watch the clock. The eight-minute timer on our home page rings at the beginning and at the end. Every Sunday at 8 PM local time, anyone who wants to can sit for the same eight minutes, each in their own way.
Common questions about centering prayer
What is centering prayer in simple words?
A silent prayer in which you rest in God's presence, using one short sacred word to return whenever your mind drifts.
How long should centering prayer be?
The traditional recommendation is twenty minutes, twice a day. If that feels like too much, begin with eight minutes once a week and let it grow.
What sacred word should I choose?
Any short word that expresses your intention: God, Jesus, Abba, peace, love, shalom. Keep the same word for the whole session and do not change it when it feels boring.
Is centering prayer Christian?
Yes, it comes from the Christian contemplative tradition and is understood as prayer to God. People from other traditions often practise a similar silent attention, and they are welcome at our Sunday practice too.
Is it normal to have many thoughts?
Completely. In the centering prayer tradition, returning is itself the prayer. A session in which you returned a hundred times is not a failed session.