This is not a photo of a gorgeous flower or a beautiful sky. It is a photo of my daily prayer practice. It’s not an easy practice, or prayer to pray, especially in these times. But it is a prayer that will change you.
And the change will be utterly beautiful!
This prayer got me through my deepest fears when diagnosed with stage 4 NH Lymphoma. Letting go like this changed me forever.
Like me, you will be both attracted to it and repulsed by it. Welcome that too. Together we can become as resilient as Etty Hillesum, Anne Frank, as brave as Martin Luther King, Dirk Willems, and all the people in the front lines of today’s pandemic.
Thousands of pray-ers practicing the “Welcoming Prayer” would change the world!
Just remember you’re not being asked to welcome evil, violence, rape or any ‘ism’ or deadly virus, just what is coming up in you and in your life because of everyday events. Welcome your responses, thoughts and emotions; welcome knowledge that many things are out of your control.
This is never a once and done prayer. It is prayed many times. When inner peace slips away, name what is present instead and be gentle with yourself for it being there. (this is welcoming) Move through your responses, not against them - pray the prayer- and you’ll find the fear, anger subsiding. If it rises up again, move through the whole process again.
If it becomes overwhelming, acknowledge that too, visualize whatever is helpful- putting the overwhelm beside you, or imagining God carrying it for a while or your ancestors or angels, even your dog holding it for you. (I kept spelling dog "g-o-d" instead of d-o-g :) Or put it in a bubble a let it float away.
Your honesty is all that matters. The Welcoming Prayer is not a call to perfection; it is an invitation for integrity and gentleness to yourself. Deepening and awakening is NEVER about demands or abuse to yourself or others.
Be gentle! Pray the prayer. Let the Sacred Spirit pray you. Isn't that an interesting concept....letting a prayer 'pray' you? Change you, inspire you, love you. Put the practice away when you are too vulnerable to pray it and then practice again when redrawn to it.
🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
The Welcoming Prayer (by Father Thomas Keating)
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I welcome everything that comes to me today
because I know it's for my healing.
I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons,
situations, and conditions.
I let go of my desire for power and control.
I let go of my desire for affection, esteem,
approval and pleasure.
I let go of my desire for survival and security.
I let go of my desire to change any situation,
condition, person or myself.
I open to the love and presence of God and
God's action within. Amen.
And the change will be utterly beautiful!
This prayer got me through my deepest fears when diagnosed with stage 4 NH Lymphoma. Letting go like this changed me forever.
Like me, you will be both attracted to it and repulsed by it. Welcome that too. Together we can become as resilient as Etty Hillesum, Anne Frank, as brave as Martin Luther King, Dirk Willems, and all the people in the front lines of today’s pandemic.
Thousands of pray-ers practicing the “Welcoming Prayer” would change the world!
Just remember you’re not being asked to welcome evil, violence, rape or any ‘ism’ or deadly virus, just what is coming up in you and in your life because of everyday events. Welcome your responses, thoughts and emotions; welcome knowledge that many things are out of your control.
This is never a once and done prayer. It is prayed many times. When inner peace slips away, name what is present instead and be gentle with yourself for it being there. (this is welcoming) Move through your responses, not against them - pray the prayer- and you’ll find the fear, anger subsiding. If it rises up again, move through the whole process again.
If it becomes overwhelming, acknowledge that too, visualize whatever is helpful- putting the overwhelm beside you, or imagining God carrying it for a while or your ancestors or angels, even your dog holding it for you. (I kept spelling dog "g-o-d" instead of d-o-g :) Or put it in a bubble a let it float away.
Your honesty is all that matters. The Welcoming Prayer is not a call to perfection; it is an invitation for integrity and gentleness to yourself. Deepening and awakening is NEVER about demands or abuse to yourself or others.
Be gentle! Pray the prayer. Let the Sacred Spirit pray you. Isn't that an interesting concept....letting a prayer 'pray' you? Change you, inspire you, love you. Put the practice away when you are too vulnerable to pray it and then practice again when redrawn to it.
🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I welcome everything that comes to me today
because I know it's for my healing.
I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons,
situations, and conditions.
I let go of my desire for power and control.
I let go of my desire for affection, esteem,
approval and pleasure.
I let go of my desire for survival and security.
I let go of my desire to change any situation,
condition, person or myself.
I open to the love and presence of God and
God's action within. Amen.
Now, here's the beautiful sky and flowers photo!
Sharon Clymer Landis
Children's author, Author, Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader and Host
Children's author, Author, Spiritual Director, Retreat Leader and Host
Nature Study/Walks especially for children: Bird/Monarch/Stream/Wildflower
website - https://sharonclymerlandis.
imprint- Hutch Books
blog - http://spiritsongsl.blogspot.
Starry Meadow Farm - https://www.facebook.com/
Starry Meadow Farm - https://www.facebook.com/
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