Opening Body Awareness Practice
First of all take a few moments now to recall a person, a pet, a place in nature, or an experience you had recently that you truly appreciate. Just one thing you’re your mind naturally migrates to. We’ll take about 10 seconds to let your mind settle on one thing. We’ll come back to this in an expanded version of the gratitude practice a little later. But for now, with your eyes open, take and release three deep breaths. Let your breathing return to normal, and with the next out breath, gently close your eyes. Then feel the weight of your body on the chair, bed, or floor. Finally take a minute to do a body scan: noticing how the body feels as you scan steadily down from the top of the head to the feet, not trying to change anything, just noticing. Close the practice with another deep breath, in and out.
The Sarum Prayer
God be in my head—and in my understanding
God be in my eyes—and in my looking
God be in my mouth—and in my speaking
God be in my heart—and in my thinking
God be at my end—and at my departing
Psalm Portion
Psalm 85: 20
Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Words of Jesus Portion
John 13:20
Jesus said: In all truth I tell you, whoever welcomes the one I send, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.”
Prayer for Loved Ones
Take a deep breath in and out as you devote the next minute to naming your loved ones, presenting them in love before the one who is Love.
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Gratitude Practice
Today, identify a person you appreciate, or a beloved pet, or a place in nature, or some recent blessing, big or small: just one object of your appreciation. Then place a hand over your heart, take in and release a nice deep breath, and place your focus on the object of your appreciation for a half a minute or so. Close with another deep breath.
Benediction
May God bless you and keep you. May God cause light to shine upon you and be gracious to you, May God turn towards you and grant you peace.