For a while now, I’ve struggled with the concept of gratitude. I get caught up in the idea that I am supposed to be so deeply grateful for very big, giant things, but I don’t always have big things happening or a depth that I can access easily. I understand the idea of being grateful for all the things all the time, but it just doesn’t always feel authentic. My gratitude seems to feel more like platitudes sometimes, and I don’t like it.
After talking it over with a few friends, I realized that, as usual, I was making it much more difficult than I needed to, so I found a way to truly be grateful in a meaningful way that feels genuine and helps me connect with the Lord and pray without ceasing as St. Paul instructs us (1Thessalonians 5:17).
In my mind I’ve been calling it the body prayer, and for lack of a better name, I’m sticking with it. I’ve been practicing it for a few months now, and I’ve noticed a marked difference in both what new things I’m grateful for as well as the genuineness in my appreciation for these things.
When I take a shower or when I’m getting dressed for the day, I thank God for each of the parts of my body that He created.
Lord, thank you for these feet, and toes, and ankles that keep me grounded and balanced.
Thank you for my calves, shins, knees, thighs, and hips that keep me flexible, supported and moving in the right direction.
Lord, even though I complain about this belly, I am so thankful for it because it protects my vital organs, reminds me to stay nourished, provides me with a sense of knowing and intuition, and its muscles support me.
Thank you for my lower back and spine that hold me upright with strength and guard my nervous system allowing all my systems to function properly.
Thank you for my chest that helps my lungs expand and contract with the breath of life, and encloses my heart that allows me to love fully and receive you completely.
Thank you, Lord, for my shoulders that sometimes feel like they are carrying the
weight of the world. Help me to relax them when they are touching my ears, and
may their tenseness help me to remember to surrender my burdens to you.
Thank you for my neck that helps me scan my surroundings and stay focused on the
path you want me to follow.
Thank you for my arms, hands, and fingers that help me to both defend myself and
embrace the good, grasp the hem of your garment, and point the way to you.
Lord, thank you for my head, ears, and eyes. They help me to think clearly, understand my purpose, hear your words and creations, and see the world as good as you intend it to be.
Thank you for my skin that holds me together and allows me to feel your gentle touch. Amen.
It seemed so childish when I first started thanking Him this way, but I soon realized that it has carried over into all the things I do each day. I find myself thanking Him for my ability to type this up, and think these thoughts, and feel His presence, and taste this great food, and have these dishes that I get to eat off of. These are the things that make the moments that make life worth living.
So, the next time you do something as simple as washing your hands, thank God for something in that process. It will change the way you start looking at life and all of what He has created around you. After a while you won’t even need the prompt. The simple act of being will in any space for any moment will cause you to think thoughts of gratitude.
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