On Sunday night, we learned from two contemplative activists – Phileena Heuertz and Lynne Hybels – about the discipline of Centering Prayer. As you practice this week, here are a few more wise thoughts. So helpful!
(1) After The Practice, we sat down with Phileena to ask her advice for those of us who are giving Centering Prayer a try this week…
(2) A few years ago, Lynne wrote a letter to her dad about Centering Prayer. This is a wonderful, loving, and humble explanation of the ancient practice…
Centering Prayer
Lynne Hybels
In 1999, my father had a heart attack. Though he eventually recovered fully, his recuperation was slow and accompanied by extreme anxiety. While praying for him one morning, I decided to share with him a spiritual discipline that had been helping me. I wrote him a lengthy letter, explaining this discipline. I think the letter served him well, but I know it has served me well, for each time I get careless in this discipline I reread this letter to remind myself why I started this to begin with and why I need to continue.
Read Lynne Hybels’ Letter to her Father
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Finally, please remember to be compassionate with yourself as you begin this practice. Centering Prayer is not something to achieve or conquer…but simply a way to allow ourselves to get swept up in God’s unforced rhythms of Grace. It’s all Grace!
Blessings as you get swept up…
Aaron and The Practice team
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I learned of this type of prayer many years ago. It is beyond words the depth of connection between God and my soul and spirit that I experience. It is a depth of intimacy that almost leaves one exhausted then rejuvenated. I so agree with Lynne discussing the healing that took place deep inside her — really inexplainable until it is experienced.
Thank you for sharing Lynne’s letter…so clear. I appreciate the “still the waters of the soul” illustration.