Centering Prayer Group “BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD” Ps.46:10
Centering Prayer Group meets on Sunday at 4:00 in the chancel. This should free many of us up from the time restrictions of busy work days. I would like to encourage all who are unfamiliar with the practice of centering prayer, or those who feel intimidated by it to please come and give it a try. 90% of the battle in establishing a regular discipline of meditation lies in wanting to do it. If you truly have the desire to open your heart to God, He will help you. With time and perserverance, not only does it get easier to quiet your thoughts, but you’ll find yourself longing for that quiet time with God.
The charter of contemplative prayer is the prayer of Eph.3:16-19:
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled with the very nature of God.”
Centering prayer has been found to be one of the most effective ways for God to nurture our hearts – to allow the Gospel to become more and more alive in us. It increases our capacity to become followers of Christ. We come silently before him, opening ourselves up to Him, and surrender to His love and His will. We are actually saying, “Yes, God, I give you permission to enter and take charge of my life.” Vs. 20 & 21 continue by giving glory to God “who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more that all we can ask or imagine.”
Centering prayer is truly a gift of God. It is the opening of mind and heart – our whole being - to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. This is a prayer of surrender and transformation. The principal fruits of centering prayer will be found in our daily lives.
This prayer of silence is based on the wisdom saying of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: “But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.” MT 6:6 (click here for more on the prayer of silence)
I’d like to encourage any who are able, to join us and discover what a blessing God has given us through this “prayer of silence”.
You can reach me, Cynthia Klokel, at cklokel "at" gmail.com or 561-3359 with any questions.
Choral Evening Prayer or Evensong
Thursdays 6:00 PM • Fall & Winter months only
In the Episcopal Church, the Daily Office, that is services of Morning and Evening Prayer, celebrate the sacramental nature of the movement of time. Rooted in ancient monastic tradition, the services focus on the Word of God as it is revealed through the Lessons (scripture readings), the Canticle(s) (at Evening Prayer drawn from the Gospel of Luke), the Psalm, and the prayers, which are always grounded in Scripture. This service will be conducted as a ‘choir’ service, that is, a service being held in the choir-or chancel-of the church, and sung primarily by the choir and Precentor (cantor). The congregation is invited to sing the hymns and to participate through listening, contemplation, and prayer.
Healing Prayer
Prayer Chain
There are several ways for you to experience the power of healing prayer at St. Paul’s. One is to call the Parish Office to have your request added to the “prayer chain.” Your request can be confidential/anonymous/first name only; and the prayer chain policy is that members respect the privacy of requests/requesters and not share the information outside the chain. A number of parishioners will receive your request and individually offer prayers on your behalf. For more information, please contact Rev. Nicki Kimes, 259-3013 x18.
Healing Prayer During Sunday Service
Another way is to visit members of the Healing Prayer Group in St. Mary’s Chapel during Sunday Services. Healing Prayers are available every Sunday at the 9:15 service, and the first Sunday of each month at the 11:15 service. The chapel is just to the right of the altar and is entered through the Baptistry.
Go there right after you receive communion and you will find one or more members of the group who will listen to your request, then gently lay their hands on you and pray aloud.
Healing Prayer Group Meetings
In addition, the Healing Prayer Group meets periodically and are joined by other members who do not generally offer prayers at services, some from other parishes and even different denominations. Under the direction of the clergy, they offer healing prayers in a similar, though more focused way. The meetings last about an hour, and could very well be the most gratifying hour you will spend all month.
Special Healing Services
Special Healing Services are also offered, usually connected with a season of the church year, such as a weekday evening in the five weeks of Lent; or the four weeks of Advent. Anyone can attend these services, which will include the Clergy and members of the group, usually in an intimate gathering in the Chancel. These services are a great way to “try out” healing prayer for yourself.
To learn more about the Healing Prayer Group, please contact Elizabeth Graham.
