Contemplative Prayer: an Evaluation of Centering Prayer - Imogen Lowe - Friday Night Lectures - August 7, 2026

Contemplative Prayer:

An evaluation of Centering Prayer

Centering prayer is a contemplative prayer practice developed in the 1970s, drawing on earlier Christian contemplative traditions. Whilst it falls under the broader category of contemplative prayer, it is distinctive for its similarities to certain forms of Eastern meditation. Increasingly popular among some evangelicals, it raises an important question: is it a recovery of an ancient Christian practice, or a move away from a biblical understanding of prayer?

Imogen Lowe is a mother of four rambunctious children and a transplant from the UK to Minnesota. In the rare moments she finds spare time, she enjoys baking, reading, and creating things. Most recently, she has crocheted far too many snakes and is looking for a new animal to tackle. She is often found sipping tea made from herbs in her garden and consistently provides an unwilling but apparently delicious snack to the insect population.

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