Multi Sensory Prayer Guide:
“Praying With Our Whole Bodies”
by Rev. Allen V. Harris for the July 11, 2010 Second Sunday Circle Celebration at Franklin Circle Christian Church

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As worshippers entered the sanctuary, they were given a small bag with several items in it.

Rock…God is our foundation

Please take the stone out of your bag. Touch it. Feel its qualities. Squeeze it. Touch it to your cheek or arm. Listen to these words from Psalm 18:

I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my rock in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
so I shall be saved from my enemies.  (Psalm 18:1-3)
 

Where do you find your strength? What people, places, things, values are foundational to you?
As you hold this rock, pray to God for strength for the day and a foundation built not on sand but on solid ground .
 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of God’s power. (Ephesians 6:10)

Song CH #33 How Great Thou Art

Chocolate…Taste & see that the Lord is good

Take the candy out of your bag. Unrap it and eat if, if you so wish. Taste or imagine it’s sweetness. Listen to these words from Psalm 34:
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.  (Psalm 34:8-9)
 

Where is the bitterness in your life? Where is the sweetness in your life? In what ways do you savor the word of God? When you pray, is there a taste in your mouth?
As you eat this piece of candy, pray that you may always find sweetness in serving God.
 

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103)

Puzzle piece…where do I fit into God’s plan

Please take the puzzle piece out of your bag. Hold it and look at or feel it. Can you tell what the larger picture is in which this piece fits? Where is it smooth and where is it jagged? As you feel and look at your puzzle piece, hear these words from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians:
 

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 3:7-10)
 

When did you last feel like a lost puzzle piece? Have you been forced into a fit in life or are you exactly where you ought to be? Do you feel like God has a plan for your life? Is it preset, or is that plan unfolding? Pray that you will always find places and situations in which to “fit” where your gifts and graces are best suited.

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:32b-3)

Incense… sweet fragrance of worship and Christ’s Sacrifice

Please take out the incense stick from your bag. Put it up to your nose and smell it, if you wish. Can you identify that smell? What does the smell make you think of? As you smell the incense, hear these words from Deuteronomy:
 

For they observed your word,
and kept your covenant.
They teach Jacob your ordinances,
and Israel your law;
they place incense before you,
and whole burnt-offerings on your altar.
Bless, O Lord, his substance,
and accept the work of his hands; (Deuteronomy 9b-11a)
 

What memories do you have of specific smells? Do you find your worship of God to be fragrant and sweet smelling? If not, why not.
As you smell this incense, pray that God might help you make all your worship sweet and fragrant!

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Song CH #227 In the Garden

Clay… willingness to be molded & open to God’s will

Please take out the piece of clay from your bag. If you wish, squeeze the clay between your fingers. Kneed the clay and make different shapes out of it. How does it feel in your hands? As you kneed the clay, hear these words from the prophet Jeremiah:

The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: ‘Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him.
Then the word of the Lord came to me: ‘Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done?’ says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. (Jeremiah 18:1-6)

Where have you felt God has had to remold and remake you? Do you feel you allow God to be the potter and you the clay, or do you try to “mold yourself?”
As you squeeze this clay, pray to God that you might allow the Divine to shape you in such a way as to allow God to use you most fully and completely.

But God gives all the more grace; therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and God will draw near to you. (James 4:6b-8a)
 

Amen.

Later in the service, the congregation was invited to write intercessory prayer concerns and joys on small cards, which were prayed for by members of the church.

Rev. Allen V. Harris
Franklin Circle Christian Church
www.FranklinCircleChurch.org


 

Copyright 2010 -- The Rev. Allen V. Harris

Franklin Circle Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1688 Fulton Rd., Cleveland, OH 44113-3096