Program for an online Centering Prayer Meeting
With Lectio Divina
This program is taken from the book Centering Prayer for Everyone, which contains additional programs and chapters on centering prayer, lectio divina, chanting the psalms, how to facilitate a group, and readings for lectio divina. Examples of biblical lectio divina passages may be found here, non-biblical here. A program for individual rather than group use may be found here. A program with instructions for visio divina rather than lectio divina may be found here.
This program has been adapted for use by Zoom or Skype. The program allows for one twenty-minute period of centering prayer; two twenty- minute periods or a single thirty-minute period may be substituted for those who desire a longer program. Centering prayer instructions for a regular meeting are offered, with additional instructions that may be added if beginners are present. The leader may choose to mute all participants and invite them to unmute themselves during intercessory prayer and lectio sharing.
The program continues with a simple lectio divina. Screen sharing may be used to display the closing prayer. The program takes approximately forty minutes; if two twenty-minute periods of centering prayer are substituted, approximately an hour.
Before you begin, take a few minutes to choose a brief reading for lectio divina or an alternate psalm and assemble anything else you might need, like a timer or a bell.
In order to avoid latency issues, it is recommended that the leader chant or read unaccompanied one of the two psalms provided and read the final prayer, while participants may follow along with themselves on mute.
Psalm, Chanted or Spoken by the Leader
Psalm 23
You, O God, are my shepherd, I shall not want.
You make me lie down in green pastures;
you lead me beside still waters;
You restore my soul.
You lead me down right pathways in your name.
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of God forever.
or
Psalm 42
As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for you, for the living God.
When shall I behold your face?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while voices ask, “Where is your God?”
Why are you so heavy, O my soul,
Why are you so weary within me?
Trust in God; for I shall praise that holy voice
and find my help in that holy face.
Welcome!
Welcome to this digital contemplative prayer group. This is a place for all God’s people. Whatever your beliefs or doubts you are welcome here. If you are new to centering prayer, just follow the instructions as the session unfolds. You are also welcome to use the silence in any other way that is right for you.
Intercessory Prayer
Leader
Loving God, we ask for your blessings upon this gathering. Recognizing that we bring the joys and sorrows of our lives here today, if anyone would like to mention silently or aloud expressions of gratitude or concern for ourselves, our families, our friends, our society, or our fragile planet, please do so now.
The people offer prayers, silently or aloud.
Leader
God, we trust that you hear our prayers, silent or spoken, wordless or in words.
Centering Prayer
Leader
We begin the first period of centering prayer.
Optional instruction for beginners may be added if appropriate:
We will sit in silence for twenty minutes. I will read the instructions and lead you into the centering prayer. Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your intention to say yes to God’s transformative presence. Choose any short word with which you are comfortable and that reminds you to be present to God. Examples of a sacred word are Love, Peace, Mercy, Let Go, Silence, God, Amen, Yes.
Continue with regular instructions:
Sit with your back straight and your feet flat on the ground or in another stable position, your hands on your thighs or in your lap. Gently close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths and notice if there are any adjustments you’d like to make to be comfortable for the prayer period. Take a moment to notice who God is for you right now, whatever that might mean, and renew your commitment to be open and present to the divine. Silently begin to repeat the sacred word or touch your breath gently with your attention, using your sacred symbol to orient yourself towards God. During the prayer period, whenever you notice that you have become engaged with your thoughts, gently disengage yourself, returning to the sacred symbol if necessary.
The four basic guidelines of centering prayer may be read if beginners are present or if desired:
Choose a sacred word or a sacred breath as the symbol of your intention to consent to God’s presence and action within.
Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word or sacred breath as the symbol of your consent to God’s presence and ac- tion within.
When engaged with your thoughts, return ever-so- gently to the sacred symbol.
At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes.
Before or just after the leader sets the timer for the prayer period one of the following short prayers may be said:
Loving God, deepen our longing for you.
Loving God, may we rest in your presence.
We let go of trying to change ourselves, and let you, God, arise in our hearts.
Sacred One, awaken us.
The leader sets the timer for the prayer period and rings a bell or gong.
The timer sounds or the leader rings a bell or gong at the end of the prayer period.
If beginners are present, at the end of the twenty minute period, as the timer sounds or the leader rings a bell or gong, the leader reads the fourth guideline, followed by a period of silence:
At the end of the prayer period, remain in silence with eyes closed for a couple of minutes. This is an important transition for bringing the prayer into daily life. If you would like, you can dedicate the period of prayer to a person or concern.
Lectio Divina
Leader
I will read a short passage three times, leaving a period of silence after each reading. Listen with the ear of the heart. At the end I will invite you to share a word or phrase from the passage that resonated for you.
Reading of the passage, interspersed with silences.
Leader
I invite you to share a word or phrase from the passage that reso- nated for you.
Closing Prayer
Leader
Let us close by praying together The Prayer of Jesus or the Night Prayer.
If possible, the leader shares his or her screen the prayer so that the group may read along. In order to avoid latency issues, it is recommended that the leader read the final prayer while participants may follow along with themselves on mute.
The Prayer of Jesus
Ground of all being, Mother of life, Father of the universe,
Your name is sacred, beyond speaking.
May we know your presence, may your longings be our longings in heart and in action.
May there be food for the human family today and for the whole earth community.
Forgive us the falseness of what we have done as we forgive those who are untrue to us.
Do not forsake us in our time of conflict but lead us into new beginnings.
For the light of life, the vitality of life,
and the glory of life are yours now and for ever.
Amen.
—a paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer by John Philip Newell
Night Prayer
Lord,
it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world
and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
— A New Zealand Prayer Book - He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa
This program is taken from the book Centering Prayer for Everyone, which contains additional programs and a chapter on visio divina.
Thanks for permission to reprint excerpts from the following previously published works:
“Night Prayer” reprinted with permission from the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia—Te Haahi Mihanare ki Aotearoa ki Niu Tireni, ki Nga Moutere o te Moana Nui a Kiwa, A New Zealand Prayer Book—He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa (San Francisco: Harper SanFran- cisco, 1997), 184.
“The Prayer of Jesus” (a paraphrase of the Lord’s Prayer) reprinted with permission from John Philip Newell, Sounds of the Eternal: A Celtic Psalter (San Antonio, TX: Material Media, 2012), 86.