When I center, I let go and trust the silence. Letting go comes first, and then comes trust. I don’t know what will happen next. I let go of expectations. I let myself be vulnerable. I do not know what feelings and emotions I will experience both during and after my sit. I trust that God is in charge and knows what is best. Centering prayer is a continuous practice of trust in God who waits in the fertile silence.
When I am depressed, I often wonder why I feel this way. I know God loves me. I know God has placed unique gifts and talents within me. I also know that God expects me to take action (but God will not force me to take action).
Never underestimate the power of an afternoon prayer sit. Don’t skip it. Even if you do not feel like it, do it anyway. A second sit refills your reservoir. It helps you finish your day.
Letting go during centering prayer is meant to continue the rest of your day. What do I mean by this? I mean we should never hold on to thoughts and emotions that are not productive. They stop us from accomplishing the daily tasks that we need to complete. When I become worried, I let it go. When I become anxious, I let it go. When I become frustrated, I let it go. When I become afraid, I let it go.
On workdays, my first centering-prayer sit is at 5:45 a.m. I always feel some anxiety after I wake. Then I retreat to the basement, light a candle, and sit on a couch. It wakes me up. The anxiety fades. It fills me with interior peace and energizes me for the day.
