Many of us live present to only our minds, so this practice drops us into our bodies to connect with God. Being present to body posture can be a way of praying without words for all ages. Consider what position your body is in when you pray—still, walking, sitting legs uncrossed, clenched fists, or open hands. How is that posture a prayer in and of itself?

“Julian of Norwich invites us to be in our bodies, embrace our physicality as a way to ground ourselves, and find oneness with the divine and with all living things. As you pray this prayer, it can help you connect your heart, mind and body and to more fully experience God's love for every part of you. The prayer has four simple postures with corresponding intentions.” ⁵

I. AWAIT (hands at waist, cupped up to receive): Await God's presence, not as you expect, hope, or imagine, but however it may come to you.

2. ALLOW (reach up, hands open): Allow a sense of God's presence (or not) to come and be what it is, without meeting your expectations.

3. ACCEPT (hands at heart, cupped towards body): Accept as a gift whatever comes or does not come. Accept that you do not know everything, that you are not in charge. Accept the boundless presence of God, whether or not you are aware.

4. ATTEND (hands outstretched, ready to be responsive): In this open stance, attend to the action(s) God invites you to take. Attend to whatever it is to be God's love in the world.

⁵I www.cascadialivingwisdom.com/body-prayer-julian-of-norwich

Amy McGrew