thesoulpurposedotorg

Centering Prayer can be compared to a cow chewing their cud. Actually, I always found that image rather disgusting visually but the idea of chewing something over and over again to receive all the nourishment it holds is a useful image. In the Western Christian tradition of meditation, Abba Isaac taught the use of these words from the Psalms:

“0 God, come to my assistance; 0 Lord, make haste to help me”

From the Eastern tradition, comes the Jesus Prayer taken from the Gospels:

“Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me a sinner“

or in this form which I find most calming:

“Om Jesu Christi Misereri Nobis“

To learn more of this tradition, check out this description by Cecil Pennington

In the words of Abba Isaac

“The {one} who continually Invokes God as {their} protector is aware that God is ever at hand. I repeat: each one of us, whatever {our} condition in the spiritual life, needs to use this verse.

Perhaps wandering thoughts surge about my soul like boiling water, and I cannot control them, nor can I offer prayer without its being interrupted by silly images. I feel so dry that I am Incapable of spiritual feelings, and many sighs and groans cannot save me from dreariness. I must needs say: “0 God, come to my assistance; 0 Lord, make haste to help me.”

Having these words on my mind is the most helpful “therapy” I have ever come across. By taking time, even just 3 minutes, each day to say any of these prayers over and over again, either within one’s thoughts or outloud, they will quickly become a part of your subconcious thouoght pattern. Then as situations arise, the Spirit will bring this to your concious thought. In this way, these words become a cleansing body, mind and soul, blessing both yourself and the situations that cause distress.

For much of my life, depression and anxiety have been a shadow companions. Each has had something to teach me. The lessons of each have been hard to learn. The practice of Centering Prayer has been the most clarifying therapy of all.