By RAY WADDLE

Beyond the phrases, sermons, books, actions, evasions and sheer noise generated in the name of God, a potent spiritual force goes unheard.

Some people are sick of going without it. Its called silence, and its not just for monks anymore.

In local Christian circles, the practice of Centering Prayer has (quietly) gained ground as small groups meet weekly at churches to do meditative prayer and encounter God.

Now their organization takes the next step, when Contemplative Outreach of Middle Tennessee holds its first public meeting Aug. 18.

The gathering aims to connect Centering Prayer with churchgoers who seek deeper spiritual intimacy and to persuade churches everywhere to see the value of this ancient prayer practice.

"If the institutional church wont plug into this, its missing something," says the Rev. Tom Ward, of Sewanee, Tenn., an advocate and practitioner for two decades.

"If people who are looking for this dont find it at church, theyll go find it somewhere else."

Centering Prayer refers to prayer methods revived from early Christianity, practices that fell from favor after the Reformation.

Skeptics all over the map regarded the practices as too Catholic, too New Age or too individualistic. But silence is the "first language" of God, advocates say.

Developed by Catholic monks in the 1970s, Centering Prayer is described as "consenting to the presence of God" beyond words or emotions.

One method can be simply stated: Sit, eyes closed, back straight, twice daily, 20 minutes at a time. Choose a divine name to focus on (Jesus, Lord, Mary). Avoid doing it after a big meal (you might be drowsy). If thoughts interfere, return to the divine name.

Ward, who was priest at Christ Episcopal Church from 1981-94, says the prayer offers no quick-fix recipe for bliss, but can transform your life.

"It begins to take apart your life.You confront the false self that we have constructed to defend ourselves from pain. The prayer might bring you into the darkness, the dark night of the soul. But in the darkness you begin to experience Gods presence. You meet your true self and the true God."

Nationally, 70,000 people have trained in Centering Prayer. Locally, 19 groups, perhaps 200 people, meet in churches (Catholic and Protestant) for the prayer.

Centering Prayer is part of a larger discovery of the life of the heart by mainline religion, drawing people who warm to a spirituality beyond rationalistic argument and worship routine. And it leads to church renewal, worship renewal, Ward says.

"Centering Prayer helps you go back to the liturgy and experience it fresh, because something has stirred deep in your heart."

See www.centeringprayermidtn.com.