Our third Pocket Prayer for this Summer Series is the Praying with our Feelings, and this is the follow-up conversation. If you missed the post introducing this practice, you’ll find it here…
So did you try out this prayer tool? And if so what did you think? It’s one that I tend to reach for when I’m experiencing a big feeling, or mash up of emotions, and it felt different to consider a fairly average week. We’re on holiday this week on the Isle of Lewis which has been lovely and also exhausting, as family breaks are. I’m not good at being aware of my own feelings, but when I slowed down to check in with myself I found feelings of weariness, guilt and edginess. The summer holidays are a suitcase full of expectations, pressures to make memories, loss of routine and of personal space and (hopefully) some lovely family times.
Taking the time to notice this and turn towards God I felt compassion in response, and tried to pause there. I then tried my hand at a Kate Bowler style blessing1 and this is what appeared…
God, bless this stretched-thin summer.
Between the planning and the pressures;
May I unfold the picnic blanket and find presence.
Between the squabbles and the sandwiches;
Will your compassion sit by me?
Between the weariness and the weather forecasts;
Can I linger in the laughter and the love?
Nourish me with moments of joy and of quiet,
and let’s sit here together for just a minute longer.
For paid subscribers, the audio of my conversation with Paul and special guest Suzi is below. We talk about praying with feelings and our holiday. We’ve made this section for paid subscribers only to create a safe little nook of the internet for this Summer Series conversation. If you’re interested in listening in, sign up as a subscriber for the month. This is your reminder to cancel your subscription in the next couple of days if that’s what you’ve done! Here is a link to the full Pocket Prayers Series.
If you’ve followed along with any of the Pocket Prayers I’d love to hear by reply email or a comment.
I hope that moments of joy and quiet find you this summer,
Debbie