Soul Nourishing Practice: Soaking Prayer

You know that feeling when the chill in the air makes the world feel crisp, but the sunlight beaming down on you makes your entire body feel warm and cozy and drenched in goodness?

That sun-soaked feeling is unlike anything else.

You could probably close your eyes and imagine a moment like that where, on a snow-filled winter day, melty spring day, or autumn arrival day, you stood outside, noticed the warmth, then closed your eyes just to bask in it. Letting it fill your body with such joy and delight.

That is how soaking prayer feels.

During soaking prayer, we bask in the warmth and light of God. We imagine God’s Love radiating around us like the sunshine and rest there, enjoying that beautiful moment as long as we’d like.

If we think of prayer on a spectrum from active to receptive, soaking prayer is more on the receptive end. We aren’t engaging in a prayer of petition, lament, repentance, gratitude, or sorrow, or any other form of prayer where we are actively describing our current lives or situations, or the situations of others, to God, and asking for a desired outcome. Instead, we are simply receiving and soaking in God’s Loving Presence. We imagine this love surrounding us, and filling us, calming us, renewing us, healing us, from the inside out as we rest. We are trusting that God knows us deeply, and that we don’t need to use words to express— we just get to rest.

All forms of prayer are beautiful, from active to receptive, kataphatic to apophatic, and it’s a gift to be able to engage in all forms. As you explore different prayer practice, you might be surprised by what feels most soul nourishing!

Soaking Prayer:

• Get Comfortable

Find a way to sit where you feel comfortable and at rest. You may close your eyes or find something still to gaze at.

• Think of God’s warmth and light surrounding you

Perhaps imagining God's warmth and light as if you are laying in the sun (or a pool of refreshing water if the idea of the sun feels too hot). You could imagine a bright, warm light cascading its hues over you or imagine a warm or cool breeze completely enveloping you. 

• Soak in God’s Loving Presence

Perhaps you allow your body to gently and slowly rock from side to side as if you are being cradled. Perhaps you allow yourself to sit or lay perfectly still, and let God's light and breath flow slowly and deeply into every part of your body. Imagine your whole self being washed in God's Loving Presence. Spend a few minutes here.

• The Living Love of Jesus Christ now…

Lay your hands gently on your heart and very slowly pray: The Living Love of Jesus Christ now... fills me, or calms me, or heals me, or renews me (or whatever else feels most authentic to you at this moment). Repeat this prayer as you move your hands to cover your abdomen, your forehead, your eyes, or any part of your body that is in special need and pray this prayer of Christ's indwelling presence. Use any words that feel right for you.

• Reflect

What was it like for you to experience this time of Soaking Prayer? What did it feel like within your body, heart, and mind? How did you experience the Spirit during this time? How may God have experienced you? Take a moment to reflect on your experience.

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Next time you desire a moment to soak in God’s love, try this Soaking Prayer practice and enjoy resting and receiving from God. This practice is a beautiful way to soak in your belovedness with the One who created you.