It’s a great day for some prayer and physical activity. Thanks for being here – we’re on the 36th Day of the Give-Back Diet. Today, I want to encourage you to try a prayer walk. Yes, it’s cold in many parts of the world, but I like to bundle up and walk anyway. You can also do a prayer walk indoors, at home, at work, or at a shopping mall perhaps.<\/p>\n
Prayer walks are simple and ancient ways to bring mindful prayer into your body. Buddhist monks and initiates have done them for thousands of years. Christians, too – some say Paul’s journey on the road to Damascus where he had a revelation, was a prayer walk. Of course, prayer walks are not just for monks, nuns and clergy! They’re for us, too.<\/p>\n
ACTION PLAN:<\/p>\n
— Take a prayer walk today. It is easy: with every slow step speak or silently chant a word or a few words, of prayer. It could be praise: “Thank you God.” or “Thy will, not mine.” It could be “I am somebody.” Or a prayer that you make up yourself that’s personally meaningful. It could be a Scriptural passage, or a mantra or koan.<\/p>\n
— I like to do a prayer walk specifically for a half hour or hour at a time. It’s like a walking meditation. In addition to taking slow steps, I also connect my breathing. Inhaling, I take a step and chant some prayers, and exhaling, too. This takes a lot of practice, and probably should only be done by those who have been prayer walking for a long time. If you do try it, and if you experience any dizziness, of course stop immediately and breathe normally.<\/p>\n
— I also do prayer walking just going about my day. I like to pray continually, as St. Paul suggested. I say a mental prayer with the beginning of every new thing: walking out the door, answering the phone, writing an email, beginning a meal or snack.<\/p>\n
— Of course, keep going with your efforts to limit or avoid added sugar, and fatty foods. The comments you have posted are great. Keep it up! I love the intentionality that I’m reading. We’re just making best efforts on this program, it’s not about being perfect.<\/p>\n
Here’s a question: What are you thankful for in your life; something that you’d pray about, perhaps in a prayer walk? Please post your answer, and “Give-Back” the thanks and inspire us.<\/p>\n