I have found the simplest and often most effective centering prayer, and a couple of variations of it, to be breathing.

Many ancient cultures (and quite a few people I meet today) believed that the breath is the holiest part. Our breath is God, spirit, and soul.

Find a quiet place. Sit with your feet flat on the ground, palms resting up in your lap, with nice relaxed posture. Close your eyes. Breath naturally without force.

Notice your breath, but do not focus on controlling it. Just feel it. In. Out. In. Out. The rhythm of life.

As thoughts enter your mind, do not focus on them or try to drive them out. Instead, simply acknowledge the thought. You can say to yourself “that’s interesting that I thought that.” And let the thought go. Do not hold on to it.

Spend time with your breath. Recognize that your breath is God’s spirit moving within you and through you.

Examine how you feel after you’ve completed the exercise. Sense how your body is responding to you, is it more relaxed, more free, more open? That is the power of God.