A prayer for your heart, mind, and body
Have we been deeply impacted by the past season of COVID-19 and worldwide upheaval? Yes! While the impact is great, the invitation is greater.
Jesus is inviting you into the most engaged season of your life. Engaged in deep, unmovable trust. Where does trust come from? Experiencing the reality of the shelter that God is in the midst of the storm. Knowing God’s voice as Shepherd, always speaking, leading, and protecting His sheep who do hear His voice. Feeling the comfort and creativity of the Mother’s heart of God when, as children do, we need it to find our sense of self and life again.
Right now, start with caring for your body by taking a deep breath in. That is the very Spirit of God comforting your lungs and your physical body now.
Ask Jesus to help you notice where in your body you may be holding tension, past stress, or anxiety. Take note and let it go as you breathe out.
Notice your heart: how are you feeling? Tell Jesus honestly in 3–4 words or a sentence.
Keep breathing in that nourishing Spirit’s breath, and if your heart feels anything heavy, let it out on your exhale.
Now notice your mind: what is going on with it? Notice without judgement as you breathe.
Now that we’ve noticed and been honest with where we are right now, ask Jesus these questions and note what comes to your mind first:
Jesus, how does my body feel? What do you know that I don’t?
Jesus, how does my heart feel?
Jesus, what do you know about my mind that I do not?
Notice how the voice of Jesus takes you deeper into understanding yourself.
If the answers you get aren’t from love and life or if they don’t bring freedom, you may want to ask Jesus if that’s really His voice or if it’s just a problem talking. If it’s the past, trauma, exhaustion, or a problem talking, it’s nothing to be alarmed about. God is highlighting it so you can get all the “lies” of the problem out in the open and then listen for the loving and strong voice of Jesus to override anything lesser.
Jesus has new mercies for you today! Notice the plural nature of that word, just like it’s used in the Hebrew Scriptures. God’s mercies will always be more abundant for you right now than whatever heaviness or brokenness we experience.