SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE


The prayer life of a Christian can feel exhausting sometimes. Here is one of our simple prayers written to help you grow in your prayer life and connect with God, especially if you donโ€™t feel like praying. Check it out!

Not Just Spiritual Gains ๐Ÿ˜œ

For some, hitting the gym, going for a run, or exercising is always exciting and a challenge. They love it! But for most people, working out feels like an obligatory and necessary drag. Bill Watterson said it best through his comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, โ€œGrown-ups can only justify playing outside by calling it exercise, doing it when theyโ€™d rather not, and keeping records to quantify their performanceโ€ฆexcept you donโ€™t get paid.โ€ย ย 

And it gets worse when we consider the role comparison plays in working out. Thereโ€™s always someone who can run further, lift more, or stretch further. Of course, there are also those who canโ€™t run as fast, who lift less, and who canโ€™t stretch as far. Hmmmm. Maybe we should focus on them next time weโ€™re at the gym? ๐Ÿคฃย 

Either way, God gave us human bodies and called them good. They are so good, that the Holy Spirit finds his home in us. And we look forward to the resurrection of the dead when our bodies will not be a memory, but an important part of living with God in eternity. So for now, weโ€™re invited to take care of these Temples in which God dwells and to enjoy Godโ€™s good gift of movement. So whether you are an โ€œI love working outโ€ person or a โ€œGyms are where happiness goes to dieโ€ person, this scripture meditation and prayer are for you.ย ย 

โ€œDo you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodiesโ€ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

A Prayer Before Working Out

Bodybuilder, who knit me together in my motherโ€™s womb and designed these muscles, tendons, bones, and nerves, help me care for this temple in which you dwell. Help me celebrate the gifts of a body and movement, and help me develop strength to serve others. Increase my flexibility in body, mind, and spirit. Lead me away from comparisonโ€” to run toward your love. Help these hands and feet become your hands and feet to the world. Amen

 

Simple prayers like this are a great way to engage in your prayer life and connect with God today. For more everyday prayers, visit this page!