Daily Contemplative Prayer
EVERY WEEKDAY ONLINE 5:30pm - 6:00pm PT
6:30pm MT | 7:30pm CT | 8:30pm ET
Father Thomas Keating said, “Centering Prayer is a receptive method of silent prayer that prepares us to receive the gift of contemplative prayer, prayer in which we experience God's presence within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than consciousness itself. This method of prayer is both a relationship with God and a discipline to foster that relationship.”
You are invited into this circle of contemplative practice, in a safe environment. Even without entering the space online, you might take this time wherever you are, light a candle and know you sit with us in community in prayer. Or offer a virtual prayer group of your own and invite others; we would be happy to post a link to it here.
“At first when you begin a practice of meditation, it feels like a place you go to. You may think of it as “my inner sanctuary” or “my place apart with God.” But as the practice becomes more and more established in you so that this inner sanctuary begins to flow out into your life, it becomes more and more a place you come from.”
— CYNTHIA BOURGEAULT
The Format
Led by the Stillpoint Community
Gather in silence
Chant sung 3X and/or a short reading on the practice of Centering Prayer
Recite together these words:
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know that I am.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
A bell is toned
20 minutes of silence
A bell is toned
Closing: The Lord’s Prayer
Our Creator, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Centering Prayer Recording
Centering Prayer Facilitator and former Stillpoint Executive Director, Elizabeth Rechter holds centering prayer during the COVID-19 pandemic on March 25, 2020.
“Among all the COVID-19 cancellations, the one that hit me the hardest was my weekly Centering Prayer group. It will not be meeting in our gathering space in our church for awhile in order to protect the health of all. As I read the announcement, my spirit immediately responded, NO. I need my group more than ever!
What we know is we have the same creative power as any virus to spread ease in the midst of dis-ease. In these remarkable times, we need to be remarkable too.”
Thus the birth of Stillpoint’s virtual Centering Prayer Circle began and continues.
Inside-out
I look towards silence.
It is not, as I had heard,
a peak with natural footholds
and the crampons left by better climbers…
Contrary to what they say there is no map
(they may be speaking of another place)
there is only surrender…
— PAULINE MATARASSO
Our Still Points are offered at no cost to our community. Stillpoint is deeply grateful to our generous donors and our many spiritual directors who donate their time to facilitate these contemplative practices. We invite you to help us continue to share the gift of deep listening and spiritual formation program offerings with all who come by making a donation below
Centering Prayer is led by Stillpoint staff, faculty and alumni.
If you have questions about Centering Prayer, contact Stillpoint Administrator, Krystle Hart: khart@stillpointca.org.