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Centering Prayer

This type of prayer is often delimited by set stretch of time. If it's new to you, perhaps begin with five minutes and increase from there. A timer is useful so that you can relax and not worry about time passing; give it a gentle ending sound. This is a practice that takes practice...give yourself permission to take it slowly.

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Begin with breath --  inhale, hold, exhale -- come to stillness.

Choose a Scripture passage, one that's not too long, perhaps a favorite, one that describes a longing, or one you've been studying.

Read the passage three times, slowly, aloud if you like, noticing a word or phrase that stands out to you. 

Be with God in that word. Allow Him to speak to you about what He wants you to know. If you become distracted, allow "your" word or phrase to bring your mind back to your being there with God

When your timer dings, close by asking God to continue to reveal what He has uncovered for you during this time, maybe journaling about anything you gleaned.

Adapted from Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices that Transform Us. InterVarsity Press, Westmont, IL 2005. 

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