Centering Prayers: A One-Year Daily Companion for Going Deeper into the Love of God

by Peter Traben Haas

Centering Prayers is a collection of inspired prayers crafted as brief preludes or postludes to periods of personal, contemplative prayer. Each radiates God’s love. Tailored for the seasons and months of the year, they integrate a spiritual theology with certain mystical depth. You will want to read them slowly and pray them quietly, one day at a time. "In Daily Companion, Peter Haas offers intimate prayers that rest on the deep rooted tradition of his faith. His vulnerability and longing lead you to your own journey. His fearless Strengthen me in love. Draw me into your life, draw you to deeper places. He acknowledges, You are the shadow that crosses near in the silence of prayer. Praying these prayers with Haas becomes a daily chant reminiscent of those in monasteries the world over, kneeling in prayer in the silent hours before dawn." Paula D'Arcy Author of Gift of the Red Bird, Waking Up to This Day

Genres: Spirituality, Prayer, Christian, Nonfiction

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Benjamin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of these prayers connect, some don't. The ones that don't feel too distant, too lofty, to "spiritual," but lacking earth and everydayness. They're free from cliche, though, which is the best part. Sometimes "everydayness" is mixed with cliche, and that's not good.

There are occasions when reading a prayer from this book (and books like this) sends me into space and time with God, just to be for a bit. There aren't many words of mine that follow. Sometimes there are, but not much. It's more a rest in a thought experience. Now, there are moments when something's triggered and God and I talk for a half hour. Sometimes.

This book might be helpful for people who want to really make a quiet meditation time out of their mornings. A book like this could fuel some folks for hours -- a few thoughts to disappear into.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed using this book of prayers. The prayers are beautiful and poetic and at the beginning of each month is a reflection that is very helpful. I have found this helpful in bringing some peace and they are good to use for meditation. Some of the concepts do not entirely fit in my Anglican mindset - such as I think there were very occasional prayers to Mary. But this did not stop the book from being overall very helpful to me, and also it was easy to adapt the prayers to suit my use. If you are looking for a book of contemplative prayers to help bring stillness to your soul, lead into meditation and be ready to listen to God, this book fits the bill.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this one-year daily companion book of centering prayer at the beginning of the year. I plan to continue in it until the year is up but I think I've now read enough to be able to say that this book makes a nice contribution to one's daily prayer. Recommended.

[Marie Butson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good material for contemplative prayer.

[Melinda Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid prayer devotional. I have practiced centering prayer before and unfortunately this guide fell short for me, but it may work for another. The prayers weren't uniform in size or concept and sometimes I felt they meandered a bit. But I stuck with it through the year.