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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Centering Prayer	Nivlem	Thursday, August 12, 2004
Question: Dear Bro, I need a detailed explanation on why centering prayer is not recommended for catholics. How did this form of prayer came about?? A gd number of youths in my church are using this form of prayer. Hence I would want to bring this alarming issue to them. But I need the necessary resources. I would appreciate your help. Thk you.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+ Der Nivlem: This form of prayer came about by attempting to make contemplative prayer more accessible to people. The higher forms of contempation, however, is a gift given by God only to a few people. We all can experience some level of contempation, but the higher forms are only given to a few. Techniques like "Centering Prayer" attempt to usurp God's sovereignty in whom he wishes to give this gift by blending Catholic forms of ancient prayer with non-Catholic eastern techniques. Here is an article that explains in detail why Centering Prayer is to be avoided: The Danger of Centering Prayer by Father John D. Dreher We will be in prayer for this situation in your parish. God bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Centering Prayer

Nivlem

Thursday, August 12, 2004

Question:

Dear Bro,

I need a detailed explanation on why centering prayer is not recommended for catholics. How did this form of prayer came about?? A gd number of youths in my church are using this form of prayer. Hence I would want to bring this alarming issue to them. But I need the necessary resources. I would appreciate your help. Thk you.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM+

Der Nivlem:

This form of prayer came about by attempting to make contemplative prayer more accessible to people. The higher forms of contempation, however, is a gift given by God only to a few people. We all can experience some level of contempation, but the higher forms are only given to a few.

Techniques like "Centering Prayer" attempt to usurp God's sovereignty in whom he wishes to give this gift by blending Catholic forms of ancient prayer with non-Catholic eastern techniques.

Here is an article that explains in detail why Centering Prayer is to be avoided: The Danger of Centering Prayer by Father John D. Dreher

We will be in prayer for this situation in your parish.

God bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.