.png)
Centering Prayer: How to Quiet Your Mind and Rest in God
Updated: Sep 19
Centering prayer is a form of Christian contemplative prayer, a silent practice of resting in God's presence beyond words. Rather than speaking to God with requests, praise, or reflections, you simply consent to God's presence and action within you. If you have ever longed for a deeper spiritual connection but found your mind crowded with constant chatter, centering prayer offers a simple, time-tested way to make room for stillness.
This guide explains where centering prayer comes from, walks you through its four guidelines, offers practical help for handling wandering thoughts, and answers common questions from beginners.
Where Does Centering Prayer Come From?
Although the name "centering prayer" dates to the 1970s, the practice draws on a long tradition of Christian contemplation reaching back to the Desert Fathers and Mothers of the fourth century, who withdrew into silence to seek God.
The modern method took shape at a Trappist monastery in Spencer, Massachusetts. At a time when many young Christians were turning to Eastern religions in search of meditation practices, three Trappist monks asked a simple question: could the church's own contemplative heritage be offered in an accessible form to ordinary people living outside monastery walls?
They found an answer in The Cloud of Unknowing, an anonymous fourteenth-century English spiritual classic. Its author teaches that God cannot be fully grasped by thought, but can be reached through love. To help the heart reach toward God, the book recommends choosing a single short word, such as "God" or "love," and holding it as a simple expression of one's intention.
The Four Guidelines of Centering Prayer
Centering prayer is intentionally simple. It rests on four guidelines.
1. Choose a sacred word. Select a word of one or two syllables that expresses your intention to consent to God's presence and action within you. Examples include God, Jesus, Abba, Love, Peace, Trust, Amen, or Shalom. The word is not a mantra to repeat continually, and its meaning matters less than the intention behind it. Once chosen, keep the same word through the prayer period so you aren't tempted to keep reconsidering it. Some people prefer a "sacred glance" inward toward God or a gentle awareness of the breath instead of a word.
2. Sit comfortably and settle in. Find a quiet space and sit in a position that is relaxed but alert, with your back reasonably straight and your eyes closed. Settle briefly, then silently introduce your sacred word as a gentle expression of your consent to God.
3. When you notice you're engaged with thoughts, return ever so gently to the sacred word. This is the heart of the practice. You will not be "doing it wrong" when thoughts come; you are simply invited to let them go by returning to your word.
4. Close in silence. At the end of your prayer time, stay quiet with your eyes closed for a couple of minutes. Many people end by slowly praying the Lord's Prayer. This transition helps you carry the stillness into the rest of your day.
Start with five minutes and gradually work toward 20 minutes.
With consistent effort, you'll find yourself growing more comfortable in the quiet and experiencing a deeper connection with God. So, take a deep breath, find a quiet corner, and give centering prayer a try! You might be surprised at what you discover in the stillness.
Ready to Give It a Try?
Take a deep breath, find a quiet corner, and give centering prayer a few minutes today. You might be surprised at what you discover in the stillness. For more guidance, Contemplative Outreach offers a helpful centering prayer brochure and a clear overview of the method. To keep exploring contemplative practices with others, visit our Spiritual Formation page or read our guide to 7 Contemplative Prayer Practices.
Comments