To get settled,
You can turn down lights or turn on a lamp instead of overhead lights.
Get comfortable in your seat or lie down if you wish.
Make sure that you feel supported and your posture is comfortable.
You can close your eyes or have a soft gaze out in front of you.
You can rest your hands in your lap,
Hold them in prayer position,
Or rest them at your sides.
Take a few moments now to get settled in.
We'll get started by hearing Psalm 116 verses 1 through 4 and 12 through 19.
This is the Good News Bible translation.
I love the Lord because he hears me.
He listens to my prayers.
He listens to me every time I call to him.
The danger of death was all around me.
The horrors of the grave closed in on me.
I was filled with fear and anxiety.
Then I called to the Lord,
I beg you Lord,
Save me.
What can I offer the Lord for all his goodness to me?
I will bring a wine offering to the Lord to thank him for saving me.
In the assembly of all his people I will give him what I have promised.
How painful it is to the Lord when one of his people dies.
I am your servant Lord.
I serve you just as my mother did.
You have saved me from death.
I will give you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and offer my prayer to you.
In the assembly of all your people in the sanctuary of your temple in Jerusalem I will give you what I have promised.
Praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord.
Now take a nice deep full breath in.
And as you exhale feel your connection to the ground or the surface beneath you.
Feel your connection to the scripture we just heard.
This psalm is a prayer of thanksgiving.
Take a few moments to connect with your breath and reflect on this.
Take a few moments to connect with your breath and reflect on this.
What is your prayer of thanksgiving today?
Once again take a nice full breath in.
This time as you exhale feel your connection to the willing hearts practicing this session all over the world.
Take another deep breath and as you exhale feel your connection to the Lord.
Take another full breath in.
This time notice how many counts it takes maybe four or five and then gently exhale for the same number of counts.
Let's repeat this breath a few times.
And as you inhale say to yourself I will call on the Lord.
As you exhale say and he hears me.
I will call on the Lord and he hears me.
I will call on the Lord and he hears me.
I will call on the Lord and he hears me.
Feel your body getting quiet.
Give awareness to how your body feels right now in this moment.
And as you continue to breathe welcome the breath in through your nostrils down into your belly.
As you inhale say to yourself I pray to the Lord.
And as you exhale say and he listens.
I pray to the Lord and he listens.
I pray to the Lord and he listens.
And now let's listen to this scripture again.
I love the Lord because he hears me.
He listens to my prayers.
He listens to me every time I call to him.
The danger of death was all around me.
The horrors of the grave closed in on me.
I was filled with fear and anxiety and then I called to the Lord I beg you Lord save me.
What can I offer the Lord for all his goodness to me?
I will bring a wine offering to the Lord to thank him for saving me.
In the assembly of all his people I will give him what I have promised.
How painful it is to the Lord when one of his people dies.
I am your servant Lord.
I serve you just as my mother did.
You have saved me from death.
I will give you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and offer my prayer to you.
In the assembly of all your people in the sanctuary of your temple in Jerusalem I will give you what I have promised.
Praise the Lord.
And now I'd like you to bring both hands to your heart space.
You can bring them into prayer or rest them on your chest.
Take one last breath a big full breath in.
As you exhale let your hands fall down into your lap.
Bring your chin down to your chest and open your eyes.
Remember that the Lord listens every time we call to him.
And now we'll close with a prayer.
This prayer is one of restoration and trust.
Lord of heaven I rest underneath your mighty wings of love.
I dwell within your gentle heart.
I know there is healing in your touch.
Through the sufferings of Christ I can ask for restoration and trust in your goodness.
You are my Lord,
My Savior,
My healer and my friend.
I dwell within your gentle embrace.
Amen.
As you are ready you can move slowly and with intention as you get up and return to whatever is ahead of you today.
Knowing that God is walking with you every step of the way.
