Prior to classroom prayer—especially guided meditative prayer—it is wise to help your students unwind and relax. Several relaxation techniques can help. The following focuses on readying the physical body for prayer, especially connecting the five senses to the image and likeness that we bear to God. It was written by Fr. Thomas F. Catucci. Read this prelim to prayer slowly. Pause at each ellipse.
Gently close your eyes...
And block out everything around you...
Just relax and be still...
With your eyes close...focus on your feet...
Wiggle your toes...
These are strong feet...feet that God created just for you...
Feet that have felt the cool, wet sand at the beach...
Feet that have felt the damp softness of fresh cut grass in the spring...
Feet that have felt warm, squishy mud ooze up between the toes after a summer rain...
Good feet...strong feet...feet that God will use...
Now with your eyes still closed...feel your legs...
Strong legs...sturdy legs that God has given you...
Legs that have climbed hills...
Legs that have run and skated...
Good legs...strong legs...legs that God will use...
And now just relax...
Concentrate on your arms...
Strong arms...
Arms that have carried groceries...
Arms that have dug in the garden...
Arms that have shoveled in the snow...
Arms that are strong enough to work hard...
And gentle enough to wrap around someone you love...
Strong arms...gentle arms...
Arms that God will use to love others with...
Relax...relax and be at peace...
Concentrate on your hands...
Hands that are strong...strong to do housework...
Strong to wash and clean...
Hands that have written papers...dried dishes...combed hair...
Hands that God has used to plan seeds...to write love notes...
Hands strong enough to scrub and polish...and gentle enough to wipe away tears...
Strong hands...gentle hands...hands that God will use...
Be at peace...and relax...
Concentrate on your ears...and all they've heard...
Ears that God has used to hear the songs of birds returning home in the spring...
Ears that have heard the laughter of children on a playground...
The thunder of waves on the shore...of water falling into a lagoon...
Have heard the beauty of music...the sound of night crickets...
The harmony of laughing friends...
And the tender whisper of an "I love you"...
And be at peace.
Think of your eyes and all they have seen...
The rainbow splashed against a fresh washed sky...
Eggs hatching with new life...
Snow drifting and covering the earth...
The softness of fog drifting over a lake...
Tulips opening in the morning sunrise...
The gifts of God...the eyes to see gifts...
And be at peace...at peace.
And we pray...
