Wild weather
An update from Caroline
Today’s virtual prayer room focuses on a different theme to what I had planned. This is actually the first 2023 virtual prayer room I’m writing in 2023 and ‘real time’. The last few weeks were prepared ahead of January. It was first time I’ve tried writing ahead by so long. While it hasn’t really felt like summer with the terrible weather we’ve been having, I did enjoy a break from routine. But now I’m back and into 2023…. and speaking of wild weather… Let’s talk about this week’s theme.
Prayers for this week
While many of our subscribers are from distant shores or other parts of the country, these prayers are dedicated to all those subscribers who are in the wider Northland, Auckland and central regions of Aotearoa. I hope the prayers bring you some peace over these coming few days.
After the Auckland floods two weeks ago, we’re currently preparing for the arrival of Cyclone Gabrielle. There is an intense level of communication in the build up to the coming storm. It’s hard to know exactly how much this communicaiton isover-compensating for the lack of communication before the floods… but we only have to look at the satellite images to see there’s a big storm brewing and it’s heading our way.
Crazy weather is part or our lives now. Climate change is bringing these once in a lifetime, once in a hundred years, once in two hundred years, never been seen before wild weather events with frequency. This is happening all over the globe.
It’s anxiety inducing. It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to feel vulnerable. It’s okay to worry.
The prayers offered today are what I call grounding prayers. As many of you will know, my favourite sense isn’t even one of the five senses. It’s called proprioception. If I’d even known about this sense when I started writing my 5 Senses resources, I might have changed the name! Propriopception is the sense we use for location, actions and movements of our bodies. If that sounds confusing, I hope it will make more sense when we get to the prayers, but I’ll have a go at explaining a little more as to why proprioception and prayer fit so well together.
Proprioception grounds us. When we make big body movements, moving with or against resistance, our brain receives correspondingly information to help in that feeling of being grounded.
Prayer itself grounds us. When we pray, we set apart time and energy to focus outside of ourselves and to let God in.
Putting the two together when we’re feeling worried makes for great sensory praying.
You can use these prayers at any time. If you’re currently in the path of the incoming storm in Aotearoa, or in the midst of any wild weather somewhere else, or struggling with worries, or dealing with anxiety - these prayers maybe really helpful.
I’d love to hear your stories of using these prayers.
I’ve taken the paywall off this week for this special edition. Next week we begin our Lent series with the theme, “It’s the little things that count”.
On the journey
Caroline
Storm in a teacup prayer
The saying, ‘a storm in a teacup’ can trivialise our own worries in a way that’s not helpful. What might feel small and of no consequence to one person can be huge and frightening to someone else. As storms of life surround us, or as a cyclone approaches, wrap your hands around a warm mug of your favourite hot beverage. Press into the mug. Feel the shape of the mug curving in your hands. Feel the warmth of the liquid heating the mug. Focus on the mug with your full attention. As you hold the mug, pray to God about the storms in your own life right now. Pray for your worries and anxietiess. Feel the warmth and security of God’s love engulf you.
Legs up the wall prayer
Lie with your back on the floor and your legs up a wall. If this is too hard for you, try leaning up against a wall. Press your legs against the wall so you can feel the stretch. Let your attention focus on the connection between your body and the surfaces you’re leaning against. Notice what is happening in your body as it connects with the floor and walls. If the world around you is making you feel a little bit disconnected, pray about these things to God.
Hug in a chair prayer
Sit in a comfortable chair. Fully relax into the chair and let the chair hold you in place. Shut your eyes and take a few slow, deep breaths. Starting from the top of your head and working your way down through your body, press every part of your body into the chair. Feel the chair hugging you back. Feel the safety, the security, the enveloping. Keep your breathing slow and relaxed and talk to God in prayer about safety and security