Prayer of Presence . . .

 

Palms Down, Palms Up 

This is a very simple prayer meditation that can be done anywhere and anytime.

• Be seated. Close your eyes. Relax, but keep your back erect. If you need to stretch, do so.  Rest your hands on your knees with your palms down. Breathe deeply and slowly, inviting the Spirit of God in with each breath.

• Your hands, with the palms down, indicate your desire to turn over any concerns, worries, anxieties, fears to the God who loves you. Let any anxieties or anger come to mind and into your feelings.  Then, hand them over to God in a prayer like: “Loving God, I give you my worry about . . .” Whatever is weighing your spirit down, palms down, release it as if you were dropping the concern into God’s hands.  Let God take it and hold it gently for you. 

• When you have handed over each item to God, turn your hands palms up as a sign of your desire to receive from God.  Ask God for the graces you need right now that will help you to trust in God’s goodness.

• Finally, rest in God’s presence.  Listen.  Attend to God’s Spirit speaking from the depths of your heart.  If images or guidance come, well and good; if you find only calm silence, be content.

 

Image by Doris Klein, CSA