Reconciliation conjures many images: two persons making their peace; the sacrament of confession; or, discovering another route to encounter God—the prayer of silence. Centering Prayer brings you to all these and more.
The inability to quiet the mind offers a challenge to one practicing Centering Prayer. Yet, because of this, the prayer bears fruit and opens up the possibility of creating other channels to reach God.
None is more loving and uplifting than the prayer of gratitude. Initiated by the spirit, and in the quiet of the prayer, you find countless ways to say, “Thank you, Lord.”
The annoying tingling sound of the ice cream man all the way down the street makes you cringe and hope it goes away. Then suddenly your heart says, “Thank you!” Why? Because at least you can hear atop, on a 45th floor condo, and with windows sealed. You hear! The sound then becomes friendly.
Lamenting the galloping of years when the heart is left weary and is graying like the rest of you, you start to praise God that you can still walk, climb, dance, paint, travel, and suddenly, everything about you becomes bright.
You whisper, “Thank you, God, I am alive and able, although slightly limited! But alive and loving life!”
Fearing the loss of a beloved can be crippling, and useless, because the person is still around and well, anyway. How liberating it is to enjoy the moment over dinner, a scrumptious ice cream, a stroll in the mall, and a movie. Simply say, “Thank you, we still have each other.”
It is endless because there is just so much to be grateful for. If the only prayer that springs from your heart is “Thank you, Lord,” you will need no more.
Centering Prayer brings you there. The language of God is silence, and in the silence you hear God’s laughter every time you praise and thank Him!
You feel peace, a comforting feeling because you are reconciled with God. Your eyes moisten and vision blurs and you find yourself saying, “Thank you, God, for the gift of tears,” and the silence embraces you.
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