Centering Prayer for Lent – Emptying to Become Full
Sunday, February 18, 2024
Lent Week 1
Want to learn about Centering Prayer first hand? Watch the video below. The Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault explains this practice and then leads centering prayer. Most of what Cynthia says in the video is found below. We gather as a community to practice centering prayer on Sundays at 3 p.m. during Lent at 1PC Lincoln.
The theme for our Lenten journey at First Presbyterian Church [1PC] Lincoln is "Becoming." Lent asks us, "Who do you/we want to become?" Into the wilderness of the season, we join Jesus as we journey towards our true selves. The Lenten season always begins with the same Gospel of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. He has gone into the desert for forty days for his initiation, as it were, and this is a beautiful telling of the demons we all must face to grow up and become mature.
Out in the desert among wild beasts and angels, Jesus was tempted. Like Jesus, we are often tempted to deny our identity as one created in the image and likeness of God. Once we doubt that, it's all downhill from there. It seems that Jesus was special because he never doubted he was God's beloved son. Power is at the heart of the temptation stories [in Matthew and Luke]. The first temptation is to misuse power; the second is to co-op religion for one's gain; the third is political power – and the temptation to receive power for power's sake.
How did Jesus resist these temptations? While we don't have all the information, we know he fasted and prayed. We also know that the Holy Spirit ministered to him at the end of these spiritual disciplines. By God's grace, which was poured out upon him – and us – at baptism, Jesus emptied himself of his wants and was filled with God's presence. Jesus let go – practice emptiness – and welcomed the Spirit as a companion to his life. At the end of the fasting and praying, Jesus emerges, pointing toward the reign of God and the invitation to see beyond our mind's eyes.
Centering prayer allows us to repent and return to our belonging to God. Jesus found his way back to his belonging through prayer, so we can, too. Centering prayer invites us to return to this place within us, too. The focus of centering prayer isn't words but our abiding in God. Centering prayer is difficult in a world where words constantly bombard us, both without and within. However, it is also a forgiving one that, in reality, requires of us little: simply our consent and the willingness and faith to continue to create space when we face distractions.
We must understand ourselves to become who God longs for us to be. Centering prayer is a practice that invites us to empty ourselves of whatever prevents us from being who God calls us to be. In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul described this pathway of descent as kenosis. The Greek word kenosis means "emptying" and, as a theological principle, calls us to empty ourselves of everything to receive God's presence. Practically, it means living simply so as not to be distracted by "things" and letting go of judgments and prejudices to move toward unity with all of creation and, ultimately, with God. Paul expresses it in the following way: Although he was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God as something to be grasped at. Instead, he emptied himself, being born in the likeness of humanity…
So, now that all the theology is behind us, why centering prayer for Lent? Centering prayer is a pathway of return – to our true selves, which is the journey we embark on for Lent. And we return to our true selves – the hidden point of Divinity dwelling with us – whenever we let go of our thoughts and welcome the presence and action of God. The starting point for centering prayer is remaining open and saying to every distraction, "Not my will be done, but God's."
In centering prayer, everything begins with and keeps returning to intention. What am I really up to in this prayer? What is my aim as I sit on my chair and set this practice in motion? To be entirely open to God is a good approach. Remember, your thoughts and distractions are part of the process. The deal in this prayer practice is this: if you catch yourself thinking, you let the thought go.
Return to a sacred word to help you release yourself from a thought. Notice it isn't a mantra because a sacred word is a placeholder for your intention. It's the spiritual equivalent of a little red string tied around your finger to remind yourself of your willingness to 'do the deal.' Unlike a mantra, you don't repeat it constantly; you only use it when you realize you've gotten tangled up in a thought. In centering prayer, this gentle release of your thoughts helps us 'consent to God's presence and action within.' It doesn't have to be a sacred word. It can be a breath or a sacred image. Visuals and breathing are classic meditation methods, but they are not centering prayer.
Here are the steps to centering prayer.
- Choose a sacred word as the symbol of your willingness to consent to God's presence and action within.
- Sitting comfortably and with eyes closed, settle briefly and silently introduce the sacred word as the symbol of your consent to God's presence and action within.
- When engaged with your thoughts, return gently to the sacred word.
- At the end of the prayer period, remain silent with your eyes closed for a few minutes.
Centering prayer is putting on the mind of Christ – which is what Paul is writing about in the Book of Philippians. Jesus did not cling to power for himself in the wilderness or throughout his ministry, life, and death, but he released himself of such controlling thoughts. Consider his teachings that often begin with: Let go! Don't cling! Don't hoard! Don't assert your importance! Don't fret. This teaching is the same core gesture of centering prayer. This form of prayer isn't about attaining a clear mind, conscious presence, a strong witnessing 'I,' some desired state. In centering prayer, you merely practice the core motion of kenosis: "Let go, make space, unclench" – thought by thought.
Centering prayer is accepting God's presence and action in your life. Empty the doubt and wade into the waters of your belonging.
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