Guided Prayer- Your Sacred Choice

Welcome, beloved.

I invite you to take a deep breath in and let it slowly release.

We are gathering in the presence that holds us all.

The presence of peace.

The presence of Christ, who is all peace.

Let your body arrive.

Let your breath deepen.

Let your shoulders soften.

And let your heart open to the mystery of here, now.

Listen to the word of the Lord from Philippians chapter four.

Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life.

Let your joy overflow and let gentleness be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.

Don't be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing.

Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude.

Tell him every detail of your life.

And then God's wonderful peace that transcends human understanding will guard your heart and your mind through Christ Jesus.

Keep your thoughts continually fixed on all that is authentic and real, honorable and admirable, beautiful and respectful, pure and holy, merciful and kind.

And fasten your thoughts on every glorious work of God, praising Him always.

To choose what we will dwell upon.

The Apostle tells us to fix our thoughts on all that is beautiful, true, pure, kind, holy, and merciful.

This is not a denial of what is hard.

It is an alignment with what is eternal.

When we lift our thoughts toward goodness, our minds become sanctuaries of peace.

Close your eyes.

Notice your breath in through the nose and out through your mouth.

Let your breath be prayer.

With each inhale, receive peace.

With each exhale, release worry.

Perhaps joy, gentleness, gratitude, kindness, or peace.

Hold that word gently in your awareness.

Let it take form in your breath and in the rhythm of your heart.

As you breathe, imagine your mind turning toward that good thing, like a flower turning toward the light.

Each time your thoughts wander, simply notice them, and then return to your chosen word, your sacred focus.

Is there warmth?

A lightness, a sense of calm.

This is the holy peace that transcends understanding.

The stillness that guards your heart and mind.

Let gratitude rise gently now, not forced but natural.

Like water welling up from a deep spring.

Give thanks for the ability to choose what you think about.

This is your sacred power.

The choice to return again and again to that which is true, to that which is lovely, to that which is good, to that which is God.

Slowly bring your awareness back to this moment.

Feel your feet on the ground, your breath steady, your spirit calm.

Carry this peace with you.