{"id":6189,"date":"2018-10-06T15:34:28","date_gmt":"2018-10-06T13:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=6189"},"modified":"2018-10-06T15:34:28","modified_gmt":"2018-10-06T13:34:28","slug":"body-talk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/10\/06\/body-talk\/","title":{"rendered":"Body talk"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\n“rejoice with those who rejoice”  (Photo: Irene Bom)<\/span><\/p>\n

 
\nA while back our evening ladies Bible study group spent about 3 months studying the different dimensions of the fruit of the Spirit<\/strong>: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23<\/a>)<\/p>\n

One of my lasting memories of this series is trying to discern the body posture that is best associated with a specific dimension of this multi-faceted fruit. Joy, for example, requires loose-fitting clothing, so you can move and extend your limbs; patience is a quiet, expectant trust; kindness is close, attentive other-centredness.<\/p>\n

We experience and express these qualities in our bodies and in responding to the ‘body talk’ of other bodies around us.<\/p>\n

Paul writes in Romans 12:15<\/a>: <\/p>\n

“Rejoice with those who rejoice;
\nmourn with those who mourn.”<\/p>\n

It’s quite easy to recognize the body postures that express these extreme emotional states. Sadly, strong emotions in others can form a barrier. Paul says, be brave and seek connection under all circumstances. And take advantage of occasions like weddings and funerals, natural opportunities for us to connect with others in their joy and sorrow and so strengthen bonds.<\/p>\n

Not all ‘body talk’ is that obvious, but God has given us His Spirit, as well as eyes, ears, minds, hearts and bodies as antennae. Be curious. Be open to learn.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pray for discernment to understand ‘body talk’ – both our own and the ‘body talk’ of the people around us – and pray for discernment and courage to respond appropriately, graciously and generously.<\/p>\n\n

A prayer<\/h3>\n

O God, the source of our common life,
\nwhen we are dry and scattered,
\nwhen we are divided and alone,
\nwe long for connection, we long for community,
\nBreath of God, breath on us.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With those we live beside,
\nwho are often strange to us,
\nwhom we may be afraid to approach,
\nyet who have riches of friendship to share,
\nwe long for connection, we long for community,
\nBreath of God, breath on us.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With those we have only heard of,
\nwho see with different eyes,
\nwhose struggles we try to imagine,
\nwhose fierce joy we wish we could grasp,
\nwe long for connection, we long for community,
\nBreath of God, breath on us.<\/strong><\/p>\n

With those we shall never know,
\nbut whose lives are linked with ours,
\nwhose shared ground we stand on,
\nand whose common air we breathe,
\nwe long for connection, we long for community,
\nBreath of God, breath on us.<\/strong><\/p>\n

When we are dry and scattered,
\nwhen we are divided and alone,
\nwhen we are cut off from the source of our life,
\nopen our graves, O God,
\nthat all your people
\nmay be free to breathe, strong to move,
\nand joyful to stand together
\nto celebrate your name.<\/p>\n

by Janet Morley<\/strong>
\nfrom The Book of a Thousand Prayers<\/a><\/em> by Angela Ashwin, #495<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“rejoice with those who rejoice”  (Photo: Irene Bom)   A while back our evening ladies Bible study group spent about 3 months studying the different dimensions of the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23) One of my lasting memories of this series is trying to … Continue reading “Body talk”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[13,3],"tags":[143],"class_list":["post-6189","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-prayer","tag-body"],"yoast_head":"\nBody talk - Prayer matters<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Paul writes in Romans 12:15: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." 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I never tire of saying it: Rejoice! 5 Keep your gentle nature so that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12177,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2021\/10\/09\/thank-you-for-fruit-bearing-trees\/","url_meta":{"origin":6189,"position":3},"title":"Thank you. For fruit-bearing trees","author":"Irene Bom","date":"October 9, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Apples ready for harvest \u00a0(Photo: Irene Bom) \u00a0 Then God said, \u2018Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.\u2019 And it was so. Genesis 1:11 \u00a0 Thanksgiving Litany For summer\u2019s passing and harvest home\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/apples_for_harvest.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/apples_for_harvest.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/apples_for_harvest.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/apples_for_harvest.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":4519,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2018\/03\/18\/wilderness-encouragement\/","url_meta":{"origin":6189,"position":4},"title":"Wilderness encouragement","author":"Irene Bom","date":"March 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 Three short pieces, by way of encouragement. #1 God did not say, \u201cYou shall not be tempted; you shall not be troubled; you shall not be distressed.\u201d \u00a0 God did say, \u201cYou shall not be overcome.\u201d \u00a0 from the United Church of Christ\u2019s Worship Ways Archive and posted on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/crocusses.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/crocusses.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/crocusses.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/crocusses.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15508,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2024\/08\/05\/a-pregnant-pause\/","url_meta":{"origin":6189,"position":5},"title":"A pregnant pause","author":"Irene Bom","date":"August 5, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 \u00a0 Take time this week to pause and savour these words, inspired by Paul's teaching on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 3:22-23. \u00a0 A litany \u00a0 Lord, may we bear the fruits of your Spirit: give us love, that boundless, healing energy that transforms the world; \u00a0(pause)\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "prayer"","block_context":{"text":"prayer","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/sign_and_leafy_shadows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/sign_and_leafy_shadows.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/sign_and_leafy_shadows.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/sign_and_leafy_shadows.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Irene Bom","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/irenebom-com\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/\" rel=\"category tag\">bible<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/prayer\/\" rel=\"category tag\">prayer<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"“rejoice with those who rejoice”  (Photo: Irene Bom)   A while back our evening ladies Bible study group spent about 3 months studying the different dimensions of the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23) One of my lasting memories of this series is trying to…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6189","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6189"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6189\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6189"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6189"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6189"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}