Today, let's do something a little different and focus on developing loving-kindness for ourselves and others.
Find a quiet space. Sit up tall, and close your eyes. Set a timer for one to two minutes per movement so that you can be fully present (or increase the time if you want a longer experience).
First, pray for someone you love.
Imagine the face of someone who makes you smile and repeat this prayer for them.
- Jesus, give them love (on the inhale).
- Give them peace (on the exhale).
- Give them joy (On the inhale)
- In your presence (On the exhale)
Second, pray for yourself.
Extending Christ-like compassion to yourself can be difficult. Pray these words with as much sincerity as you did for the person you love in the previous section.
- Jesus, give me love.
- Give me peace.
- Give me joy
- In your presence.
Third, pray for your enemies.
Praying a blessing on those who have hurt you can be challenging. Do your best to imagine the person's face and remember that they're created in God's image and loved by God too.
- Jesus, give them love.
- Give them peace.
- Give them joy
- In your presence.
A closing prayer:
Father, your loving-kindness has no end. It chases me down and wears out all my excuses for why you shouldn't love me.
Jesus, shock me out of my self-abashing, self-condemning ways. Wake me up to your kindness, and let it change all of me.
Holy Spirit, churn in my soul a Christlike, forgiving love for those who wish me harm. Forge my love in the fire of my hurt. Christen new ways of caring out of my discouragement. And solidify who I am in you as I'm misunderstood and attacked.
Amen.
Peace be with you until next week,
Rusty McKie
I'd love to connect with you on Facebook or Twitter.
If you're wondering, this is why I lead you to focus on your breath.
If you missed last week’s article, check out Why Spiritual Disciplines Matter.
If you enjoyed this experience, share it so that others can too.
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