One of the benefits of prayer and meditation is getting to know yourself and getting to know God in a more intimate way. It’s helpful to recognize that there will be negative thoughts and negative emotions. But take them for what they are, just thoughts and emotions. Realize who you truly are. You are loved by a creator who made you and loves you.
Okay, let’s get started by allowing the body to relax. And when you’re ready. Let your eyes close like the sun sets.
Take a moment to consider this verse. The Lord created you.
And again, the Lord created you.
Gradually, and with ease, bring your awareness to rest on your breath.
Feel the body rise. with each inhale and then allow your awareness to rest in a little more with each exhale.
Notice how with each breath the body feels a little calmer.
Begin to notice the space around the body.
Feel the contact of the body on the chair, and your feet on the floor.
When you feel comfortable, begin to scan the entire body to build up a picture of yourself. of what the body feels like.
Piece by piece, release any areas of tension.
Let go of your stress. Let go of your anxiety.
You are exactly where you’re meant to be.
Allow that natural rhythm of the breath to relax you.
Let your breath guide you to a place of safety in the presence of God.
You are accepted here. You are loved.
With ease, bring your attention to the breath.
Take a few nice, deep breaths.
Make them feel easy and effortless.
Feel life enter your body as you breathe in,
and then release your tension as you breathe out.
Inhale, feel how the body expands. Then slowly exhale, feeling the body fall.
Feel the air as it travels in through the nose and follow the air back out through the mouth.
Allow each breath to soften the chest and relax the shoulders.
Begin to scan the body. From the head to the toe, relaxing the body piece by piece.
There’s no way to do this wrong.
And now for a few moments, allow your mind to do what it wants to do.
If it wants to think, then let it think. And if it wants to rest, then let it rest.
Take this verse with you. The Lord created you.
When you feel ready, slowly bring your awareness back to the breath and allow your eyes to open. Take a few deep breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Notice how you feel.
I hope you feel a little more relaxed. We’ll see you again tomorrow with hope, mindfulness, and prayer.
Love is the miracle drug. Love allows us to overcome pain and disappointment. It allows us to persevere through struggles. It restores our hopes and dreams. God is love. And what God loves most is love. is you.
Many of us grew up with the idea that God was sitting in heaven writing down every bad thing that we ever did. But what God tells us He actually does is not writing, but erasing. As soon as we can add another item to our list of wrongs, God is erasing it. This is because God is love, and love keeps no record of wrongs.
When we seek God, we always get more than we ask for. We’re seeking connection. And without even asking for it, God begins to change our hearts. He begins to gradually release all those negative thoughts and feelings that we hold on to. Gradually, He changes what’s inside of us.
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