The water splashes around me with the rhythmic mermaid dance of my arms, legs, and torso, along with the not so graceful slapping of my yellow fins. This early morning, I have reluctantly entered the cool water of the swimming pool, grumpy and bored with the routine of the day and the restlessness of emotions swelling inside.  Then the lament pours out, the prayer of complaint that so naturally combines with the rhythm of my laps across the pool and the silent, daily recitation of Psalm 23:

“The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want.  I lack nothing.” But, Lord I am wanting, I am lacking. I’m tired of hurting. “He leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul.”  My soul is restless, my peace is gone. “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”  I don’t know what’s ahead and I’m afraid. Show me the path Lord.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” But I am afraid. You know my concern about loved ones, health and well-being, and the losses that have changed everything.  “You are with me, your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  I can see that Kenyan shepherd guiding his livestock with his staff.  Prod me with guidance from your Spirit, dear God, comfort me with your presence and show me the way through this valley.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Yes Lord I need your mercy.  Forgive me of my selfishness and lack of trust.  I am grateful for your goodness, and for every breath of life I take. Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Be present with me now.

---

There is an exhilaration in those moments of wholistic connection between our body, soul and spirit, and the Creator God, the Word and Spirit of God.  Our bodies are made in the image of God’s own goodness, and a home where the divine presence dwells.  Spiritual practices such as meditation, Scripture memory, and lament can be deepened when combined with simple physical activities of breathing, stretching, or walking. In the chapter, “Honoring the Body, in Sacred Rhythms, Ruth Haley Barton offers a great example:

Praying the Examen while Walking or Running.  Spiritual practices coincide naturally with physical activity: “Times of running and walking became moments of turning my heart toward God.  I used those times to engage in the Examen. While my body was occupied with physical activity, my heart and mind were freed up to reflect on my day and invite God to help me notice those times the Spirit was at work guiding, protecting, comforting me.  Sometimes the privacy afforded by the darkness and the expansiveness of the night sky created a setting that was quiet and safe enough for me to allow God to help me see those times when I had fallen short of love that day, to confess sin, to release the day’s burdens and look toward a new day with hope and fresh resolve.” Meditation with movement opens all our senses and imagination to receive and experience a deeper connection with God.

Give Voice to Your Pain through Lament. Yell out!  Wail.  Cry. Complain under your breath.  It’s better to voice your prayer out loud than sit in silent despair. Vocalizing our thoughts and prayers engages our brain, body, and soul in healthy ways that help with memory, planning, anxiety relief and connection to ourselves and the divine. The Lament Psalms teach us to process our pain and settle into the knowledge that God is present and listening. In lament, we turn to God in prayer, express our complaints, boldly ask for help, which then bring us to choose to trust. The we can Sing at the Top of our Lungs with Joy.

Read Psalm 13 out loud and hear the healing rhythm of praying in your own voice.

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? Psalm 13:1 (ESV) I’m singing at the top of my lungs,
    I’m so full of answered prayers. Psalm 13:6 (MSG)

Long enough, God—
    you’ve ignored me long enough.
I’ve looked at the back of your head
    long enough. Long enough
I’ve carried this ton of trouble,
    lived with a stomach full of pain.
Long enough my arrogant enemies
    have looked down their noses at me.

Take a good look at me, God, my God;
    I want to look life in the eye,
So no enemy can get the best of me
    or laugh when I fall on my face.

 I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms—
    I’m celebrating your rescue.
I’m singing at the top of my lungs,
    I’m so full of answered prayers.

Psalm 13 (MSG)

PRACTICE.  This week, find your own ways of linking physical movement with spiritual practices.  Try different prayer postures: Standing with arms raised high, kneeling, or laying face down all give physical expression to humility, awe, joy, and lament. Use this simple prayer exercise involving physical movements to bring your whole self into the presence of God:

• Begin by simply standing with your arms loose at your sides. If you are outdoors, enjoy looking at something beautiful or indoors try for a quiet space without clutter. Start with intentionally being present to God.  Here I am Lord.
• Shake your arms and legs, and move your neck and shoulders to loosen and relax your body. My life is yours.
• Now, stretch your arms up high.  Wave back and forth like you are a tree blowing in the wind. I praise you with all my being.
• Then return to stand straight. Put your hands on your hips and lean forward and then back slightly.  Lord I need your forgiveness.
• Finally put your hands together in a prayer and close your eyes. Lord I ask you for my heart’s desire.
• Finish your prayer with your arms out in front of you, palms up. Receive the peace of Christ.