When do I practice centering prayer?
In my Centering Prayer Questions post, I posed some centering prayer questions. Since I asked these very questions, it is only fitting that I answer them too. Here is my answer to: Why Do I Practice Centering Prayer . I wrote this last week.
Now for my next question. Here is my answer to: When do I center?
I recognize that each one of us has their own practice. I would love to hear your response if you asked yourself when do I practice ________.
Centering prayer is the first thing I do before I start my day. During the work week, I simply set my alarm twenty minutes earlier. This means I am sitting with God at 5:50 am. I would not have it any other way. I love it! It gets me ready for the day. It refreshes me. It fills me with God. It is God and I meeting so together we can partner and take on this day. On the weekends, it is still the first thing I do. I just do not need to set an alarm. I simply center after I awake.
My second sit will vary. At work, if the weather is not too cold or too hot, I will leave my desk any time between 2:00 and 3:00 pm. I walk to my car. I sit in the driver’s seat. I roll down the windows, weather permitting. I love it. No matter how busy I am at work, I stop. I make myself stop. I sit with God. After each sit, I am always amazed by how much God relaxes me. I feel full of energy to finish my work day. If I am not able to sit in my car during the work day, I will do my second sit any time between 8:00 and 9:00 pm. From experience, I feel better with a mid afternoon sit. As much as possible I try to make it so. On the weekends, as much as possible, I also sit in the mid afternoon.
If you are only sitting once, that is great. Congratulation! I highly encourage you to schedule in a second sit. Speaking from experience, I do not think you will regret it. I even know some who sit three or more times per day. This is time well invested. It is our special time with God.
