Take your time with this prayer. Do not try to rush through it in one prayer period. It may take you a week or even longer. Stay with each part of the prayer as long as you find God in the richness of your own experience.

The following are a few thoughts to spark your prayer:

1) Realize that you are in God's presence. He sees you now and he knows all the good you have done in the past. Pray with the Psalmist:

Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother's womb.

2) Now look at your hands with God. Think how many good things these hands did in the past--possibly cooking good meals to feed the hungry, or perhaps working hard to provide food, clothing and housing for a family. They are the hands that have soothed the ill and suffering, written letters and notes to encourage and console friends, crafted a bit of beauty. Let God show you all the good you have accomplished with your hands. Take your time, letting God bring to your mind the many ways you served him with your hands. (You may spend several prayer periods on this first point.) Open your hands and lift up all these good, kind acts to God, praising him and thanking him for your hands.

3)Next look at your feet. Ordinarily, we don't think about our feet unless they give us trouble; usually we just take them for granted. But our feet too are a gift of God, a gift we can use to serve and praise God. Think how often your feet have carried you to church, to visit a friend, to bring help to those in need, to console the suffering. As God shows you the many, many ways your feet have served him, rejoice with him that you are so wonderfully made.

4)Touch your lips and ask God to bring to your mind how you have praised him in prayer and hymns. Recall all the inspiring, consoling, loving words you have ever spoken. How often have you cheered others with your humor and laughed with them over life's paradoxes? Remember those to whom you have shown love through a kiss or a smile. These are the lips which closed to protect the confidences and the reputation of others. God will never forget the joy you have given to others and he rejoices in you. Rejoice with God telling of your love and gratitude.

5) Rejoice with God in the many times you have listened to Scripture and have lived up to what you heard. Recall your patient listening which has brought peace to the sorrowful and troubled. Remember the sound of beautiful music; praise God for it and for those who bring its pleasure to others. Thank God that you have been able to use your ears in such life-giving ways.

6) Your eyes have looked upon the splendor of God's creation. It would take a whole lifetime to thank God for the beauties around you. You have seen the faces of those you love, have recognized in their faces their love for you. You have noticed their changing expressions and been able to respond sensitively to what your eyes revealed to you. God has also shown his love to others through your eyes, through the gentle, loving looks you have given to those around you.

7) The opportunities you have had to give praise to God with your mind are too many to count. Each time you turned your mind to God, each time good thoughts-God-like thoughts-filled your mind, God was blessed. Anytime you shared your knowledge, your wisdom or your ideas, you have used your mind in God's service. Take some time now to rejoice at the way you have used your mind to serve God.

Sit quietly in God's presence, letting your gratitude rise to you good Father. Rejoice with him that you are so wonderfully made--body, mind and spirit. Delight with God in the beautiful, unique person he has created.

Sounds of Prayer

Your comments or questions may be mailed to: swifthelen@hotmail.com

Come back again, visitor number

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page