Centring Prayer Group

A joint initiative of St Ronan’s & St Alban’s
Starts August 11 and 25 at 4:30-5:30pm, (2nd & 4th Sundays) in St Ronan’s Fellowship Room

We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. But that’s only one kind. Contemplative prayer in the Christian tradition is a pure gift from God. It’s the opening of our mind and heart - our whole being - to God who is ultimately beyond thoughts, words and emotions.

Through grace we can open our awareness to God because we know by faith, God is within us, closer than breathing, closer than thinking, closer than choosing, closer than consciousness itself. In the Gospel of John, Jesus’ prayer at the last supper mentions this.

Centring Prayer is designed to facilitate the development of contemplative prayer by preparing us to receive this gift. Centring Prayer isn’t meant to replace other kinds of prayer; rather it casts a new light and depth of meaning on the other ways we pray. It’s a way to deepen our relationship with God and is a discipline that fosters that relationship. Centring prayer is a movement beyond conversation with Christ to achieve communion with him.

During the hour we meet at St Ronan’s we will gather, receive teaching on Centring Prayer and we will practise it ourselves in the warmth of silence together. It will be good to see you there.

Diane Gilliam-Weeks