Another of my mentors, Pastor Frank Senn, has just published a new book, Embodied Liturgy: Lessons in Christian Ritual. It explores the place of the body in liturgy and sacraments. The body plays a central role in worship. We stand, sit, kneel, walk, bow, turn one way or another, fold our hands, raise our hands, shake hands, and so forth. I wrote a bit about this in my devotion on posture in prayer.
Dr. Senn’s book discusses yoga for Christians. I tried that but it left me aching in places I didn’t know I had, so didn’t continue the practice. I do pray while I walk. In particular I pray while walking a labyrinth. A labyrinth is an elaborate pattern that winds in on itself so as to allow a surprisingly long path in a limited space. Some of the medieval cathedrals had labyrinths on the floor so that people who were unable to physically go to the Holy Land on pilgrimage, could do so symbolically by walking the labyrinth. This kind of walking prayer can consist of making reflections on a topic like peace, hope, truth, beauty. Or it could be praying whatever comes to mind. I generally pray “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy” over and over while I walk and then spend some time standing still and reflecting at the center of the labyrinth.

In Ocala, I have walked the labyrinth at Munroe Hospital, but I much prefer the one at Shalom Park at 7110 SW 80th Ave. This is a great time for visiting the park for prayer.  Read Psalm 23, and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.
Wayne

Today’s Reading: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23&version=NRSV