Contemplative Prayer

Invitation to Contemplative Prayer:

Father Keating states, “Everybody needs God. The issue is . . . will you, come in and sit down with the One who loves you? The experience of Centering Prayer is gradually educating us in what contemplative prayer really is: an education in undeserved mercy. The farther we go into the spiritual journey, the more intimate the dance becomes.“ Over time Centering Prayer unfolds to become a way of life, a life transfigured, and a lens through which to view the whole of life. You are joyfully invited to participate in this worldwide community of intention, and journey together in this work of peace, the work of the transformation of the heart of the world.

St. Mark’s Centering Prayer Ministry

(Idaho Chapter of Contemplative Outreach)

Ministry Leader: Ann Marie Reuter, 208-859-4585 or reuterannmarie@yahoo.com

Our mission statement:
We come together individually and/or in a group to foster the process of transformation in Christ in
one another through the practice of Centering Prayer.

History:

Our group began in 2000 with six amazing women who attended a Centering Prayer Workshop and then decided to form a group that met weekly at St. Mark’s. They prayed both individually daily and in a group weekly and found Centering Prayer a beautiful way to rest in God and grow in the gifts of the Spirit in their daily lives.

The Idaho Chapter of Contemplative Outreach was formalized in 2019 and has several gatherings throughout Idaho. Very simply Centering Prayer is a way to “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. “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. It tends to build communities of faith and bond the members together in mutual friendship and love.” (“The Method of Centering Prayer” pamphlet)

Engage:
The Saint Mark’s Group meets weekly on Wednesdays via Zoom from 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. The first half of our gathering is spent in education or spiritual reading/wisdom sharing; the second half of our gathering is spent in 20 minutes of silence – a Centering Prayer period or sit.

Centering Prayer Guidelines:

Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within. (Say a prayer to the Holy Spirit to enlighten you to choose a word. A simple one or two syllable word i.e. Jesus, peace, silence.
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.
When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so-gently to the sacred word.
At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.

It is recommended to do two twenty-minute sits each day - once in the morning to start your day and once in the early evening to replenish yourself. It is helpful to find a group in-order-to become faithful to the practice.

Contact:

Ann Marie at 208-859-4585 or reuterannmarie@yahoo.com to request a Zoom invitation. New members are always welcome. If you are new to Centering Prayer please join the group by 8:45 a.m. for instruction on how to do a sit. You may also find information on the Contemplative Outreach website: contemplativeoutreach.org.

Additional Information:

What is Contemplative Prayer? (Catechism of the Catholic Church)

Brochures: