“Gratitude… goes beyond the “mine” and “thine” and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.”

May this quote from Henri Nouwen rest deep within our souls today, and throughout this season.

All that I am and have is a gift of love
A gift to be celebrated with joy…

Believe it, live it, breathe it in.

Thanksgiving blessings.

A Sacred Living Meditation

Lord, Have mercy

Christ, Have mercy

(stillness)

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,

Have mercy on me

(stillness)

Your love for me is unfailing

You are love

(stillness)

Your compassion is great
Your care, your tender thoughts toward me
are endless.

You are compassion.

(stillness)

Lord, Jesus Christ, I welcome you.

I welcome your love that comes to light my darkness.

I welcome your mercy that transforms my heart and mind

I welcome your compassion that draws me in
Toward your Holiness.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.

Breath Prayer

In breath:

Lord Jesus Christ

Out breath:

Have mercy

How to Pray Through Sacred Living Meditations:

1) Sit comfortably. Allow your attention to focus on the presence of the Living God. 2) You may wish to start each prayer by simply paying attention to your breath, becoming aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence within you. Alternatively, you may, at the beginning of each prayer, choose an anchoring word to allow focus and prevent distraction. 3) Read the first portion line by line–slowly, with mind and heart. When the word (stillness) appears, pause to develop conscious intent from the heart. 4) At the end of each prayer, pray the breath prayer. A breath prayer is to be prayed anywhere from ten to one hundred times. The breath prayer may be repeated throughout the day, or any given moment in the future.

In order to pray the breath prayer, one must first become aware of his or her breathing. When ready, with your body, inhale with a deep breath while praying the phrase prompted with the “in breath”. On the exhale, breathe out and pray the phrase prompted with the “out breath”.