As we engage in “Walking with Psalms” (physically OR in our imagination) using Psalms of Ascent this week, we are invited into body prayer, which can incorporate breathing and the movement of the body. Today we bring our eyes into our time with God, beyond closing them which is a familiar body movement in our prayer lives. We consciously slow our movements and our thoughts to be attentive to the voice of God in our lives through all of our senses, not just our eyes.
Scripture: Psalm 123
Focus: Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us. ~Psalm 123:3
Commentary: When we begin reading Psalm 123, we know we’ve heard these words like these before, “I life my eyes to the hills.” These seems to be something organic in lifting our eyes toward God when we pray and contemplate God, even though we know God does not actually reside in space above the clouds. In two verses, the word “eyes” is used 4 times. The eyes plead for mercy and watch for God. The eyes evoke a sense of relationship, and we learn how to “read” the eyes for various emotions. Of course, this is not the only way to read emotions, all of our sense help us as we search for God, noticing where God is moving in our lives.
Reflection: What types of emotion can you read in others through their eyes or in other ways? What are those other ways you are able to read others? How do you "watch" for God? How can you use your eyes in prayer beyond closing them?
Invitation to Embodied Prayer: Take a word or phrase from the psalm and walk, with your body or your imagination. Use your eyes and your others senses as you walk. Lift your eyes up to the sky and ask God for mercy for yourself and for the world.
If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to Michael W Smith & Amy Grant sing Lord, Have Mercy together.
Breath Prayer for the Day
Breathing in … O Lord my God
Breathing out … Have mercy on us
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