At the MMOC Contemplative Core Team’s recent workshop on The Welcoming Prayer, Deacon Bob Smerek summarized a practice to welcome all of life as an opportunity to love as the Divine loves and be one with the Trinity:
Sit quietly and think of three issues/things that are Hot Button issues for you. Pick one of these three issues and reflect on the times most recently that someone or something pushed this Hot Button: How did you react? How did you feel? Were you afraid of something happening? Were you looking for affirmation, respect, love? Were you trying to control something about the situation?
If possible, gaze upon a sacred object and ask yourself, what is God telling me now? Pray the Welcoming Prayer below and sit silently in the presence of the Trinity.
Repeat these steps with other Hot Button issues as they arise.
Prayer of Welcoming
Welcome – Welcome – Welcome I welcome all the feelings, emotions, thoughts, sensations, and commentaries I now have.
I let go of all these feelings, emotions, thoughts, sensations, and commentaries out of love for you, my Lord.
I let go of my desire to be Safe & Secure, Affirmed & Loved, and In Control.