Anyone interested in deeper spiritual awareness is welcome to join us. Our group meets on Mondays evenings from 7:00pm to 8:00pm and Thursday evenings between 5:30pm and 7:00pm in the Bride's Room under the Great Hall. Here are some different types of prayer:
Contemplative Prayer
In the Christian tradition Contemplative Prayer is considered to be the pure gift of God. It is the opening of mind and heart - our whole being - to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. Through grace we open our awareness to God whom we know by faith is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing - closer than consciousness itself.
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a method designed to facilitate the development of Contemplative Prayer by preparing our selves to receive this gift. Centering Prayer is not meant to replace other kinds of prayer, but an extension of them.
Theological Background
The source of Centering Prayer, as in all methods leading to Contemplative Prayer, is the indwelling Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The focus of Centering Prayer is the deepening of our relationship with the living Christ.
Listening to the Word of God in Scripture
Listening to the word of God in Scripture (Lectio Divina) is a traditional way of cultivating friendship with Christ. It is a way of listening to the texts of Scripture as if we were in conversation with Christ and He were suggesting the topics of conversation. The daily encounter with Christ and reflection on His word leads beyond mere acquaintanceship to an attitude of friendship, trust, and love. Gregory the Great (6th century) in summarizing the Christian contemplative tradition expressed it as “resting in God.” This was the classical meaning of Contemplative Prayer in the Christian tradition for the first sixteen centuries.
adapted from Contemplative Outreach, Ltd.
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