Centering Prayer, as I understand it, is a way to still the body and the mind and to deepen our relationship with Christ. It “facilitates the movement from more active modes of prayer — verbal, mental or affective prayer — into a receptive prayer of resting in God.” When I try to sit still and breathe, the fidget factor sets in. My body rebels and wants to be part of the prayer. So I draw. The movement of my arms, hands, eyes, and head helps me to get still on the inside so I can open my ears and my heart to God’s presence. I feel like I’m resting in the hammock of God.
Here are a couple of black and white prayers I drew to facilitate my prayer of stillness and quiet—my unorthodox version of Centering Prayer. I start with a name from the Trinity and draw outward.
“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him.” (Psalms 37:7 KJV)
Sybil MacBeth ©2010
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on Centering Prayer, I have been taught to sit and let go of the thoughts that come to you by using a mantra or sacred word. I have ADHD which makes this twice as hard. The idea of using my arm, my hands, and my eyes to calm my inner soul sound like it might work.