Blessing our Body

(Audio version on podcast)

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.  - Romans 8:11

We have been given one body—uniquely crafted, intentionally designed, and deeply treasured by our Father. Still, it’s so easy to focus on what we wish were different about our physical selves. When we begin to see our bodies the way God sees them, we step into a posture of honor, healing, and restoration. Caring for ourselves becomes an act of worship, a way to receive the life the Spirit offers. 

Invitation: Find a comfortable, calm place to sit or lay down.  Check in with your mind, body and spirit. Name what you are feeling and release it to God. Do a body scan of what you are feeling from head to toe and relax the tension you are holding. As the scripture and response is read, let your body agree and find rest. There is a pause between each one, if you need more time, press pause and let God speak to you. Repeat it over as needed until you can believe and surrender yourself to His love for you.  

Prayer: Father, Jesus, Son of God, Holy spirit, We come into your presence surrendering our bodies to you. As we speak your word through scripture and respond, we welcome your kingdom here. Let the Holy Spirit indwelling in us align with your life and your heart for us.

PRACTICE the Blessing:

*You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. - Psalm 139:14-15

Response: Thank you God for making me unique and for giving life to me, to my body.  Thank you for all my inner parts that I am usually unaware of (name the parts that come to mind).

*Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. - Proverbs 3:8

Response: Thank you God for being the physician and healer of this world. I am asking and claiming your healing for…(name what you desire God to come for).

*A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body. - Proverbs 14:30

Response: Thank you God for being the creator and giver of peace. I claim your peace over my heart, mind, and body to create whole health. 

*No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope.  - Acts 2:26

Response: Thank you God for your life that we have hope. I bless my body to find rest in you through the Holy Spirit within me.

*Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God.  - 2 Cor. 7:1

Response: Thank you God for your promises. I bless my belief and faith in your cleansing of my body and spirit. Make my heart turn toward your life for holiness.

*My old self has been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

Response: Thank you God for your son Jesus. Thank you that your holy spirit is within me and so near. I bless my body for being the holding space for the life of Christ. 

*From now on, don't let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. - Galatians 6:17

Response: Thank  you God for being with me. I bless my scars that have taught me and brought me closer into life with you.

*He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.  - Ephesians 4:16

Response: Thank you God for my unique, complex and perfect body. I bless every part to work together because of your creation and love for me. 

*No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. - Ephesians 5:29

Response: Thank you God for my beautiful body. I bless the parts I don’t feel good about (name specific things if needed) and ask for your bravery to care for it in the way you love it. Lord, give me your perspective.

*Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.                   - 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Response: Thank you God for your holiness that I can partner with you. I bless my soul, spirit and body in union with Jesus Christ to be blameless and pure.

*Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. - 3 John 1:2

Response: Thank you God for taking care of me. I bless my body with health and strength as a part of the kingdom of heaven’s spirit on earth.