During a season that has taken away so many things, instead of giving up something for Lent, consider adding something that brings you life. This Lent we pray of the gift to step out in new ways.

Using movement to pray

Movement has long been a part of Jewish and Christian prayer. Processions, pilgrimages, standing, kneeling, lifting hands and even dancing have all been used to express love, joy and reverence to God. There are many ways to use movement to meditate and deepen our prayer life.

The first step begins with finding the movements we are fitted for. Whether it's' skating, skiing, snowshoeing, sliding, running, walking dancing, swimming, canoeing, strumming a guitar, working with clay or one of the many ways we can move, there are some movement our bodies actually crave; a sweet spot that bring us joy through movement.

This week's challenge:

Delight in something that gets you moving. Whether you dance, walk, run or skate, let the movement guide your meditation. Break your movement into three phases:

Releasing: With each step or movement let go what burdens you. During this phase surrender the details of your life. This is an act of shedding thoughts and emotions makes room for quiet and makes us receptive.

Receiving: In the calm spend some time to let yourself open up to what you hear, feel, or experience. Stay in this phase as long as you like. Receive what's there for you to receive.

Returning: After spending time simply receiving, the final phase is a time of gratitude for the simple joy of movement and for the insights received along the way. During the return phase ponder how the thoughts or intuitions received might be integrated into your daily life.

Desktop Option:

If you lack room to roam, consider using a finger labyrinth. It's a desktop alternative to the full scale versions that adorn many ancient cathedrals. Labyrinths offered pilgrims a local option when an actual pilgrimage to a holy site was impractical or impossible.

It's important to remember labyrinths aren't mazes. although They may twist and turn, but there's only one path to follow. That means just need to take the next step, you can't get lost.