“Follow me in this exercise.”

The actions and the words sounded so simple as Dr. Dan began moving his arms in the air. First, above his head, then bringing them to his sides with his palms facing the ground. His arms rose silently and slowly straight in front of him, palms facing the sky. After passing a moment, his arms moved behind him with his palms facing back. My classmates and I followed him in fluid silence. Our final motion placed our hands over our hearts. I felt nothing at first.

The second time around, my heart began to stir as we continued the motions and added “thank you” to each stage of the prayer posture.

Hands raised. “Thank you.”
Hands down. “Thank you.”
Hands in front. “Thank you.”
Hands behind. “Thank you.”

The third time around, Dr. Dan began leading us in a new refrain. With our hands raised above our heads, he declared, “Christ above me.” I joined my classmates.

“Christ above me.” The words filled the air as a lump formed in my throat.

Our hands followed in unison, pressing down at our sides, palms facing the ground. “Christ beneath me.”

I reached this phrase as the tears started falling, and my mind grasped the power of the actions and words together.

I continued in silence, holding in sobs, grasping God’s all-encompassing love for me.

Our palms now stretched forward as Dr. Dan led the chorus, “Christ in front of me.” We turned our heads, looking back, extending our palms, and exclaiming, “Christ behind me.”

Finally, I tried to slow my breath as our prayer was coming to an end. Our hands rested on our hearts, “Christ within me.”

This powerful reflection that we are never alone – Jesus, the Saviour of the world, is always with me– was an unexpected moment on this Thursday morning in the middle of my course in the mountains.

Unexpected, but a welcome reminder.

Sometimes we need to change our posture, location, or perspective to be reminded of the things we already know.

What do you need reminding of today? Ask Him. He can always show you.

Christ above me, Christ below me,
Christ in front of me, Christ behind me
Christ within me, Thank you.
Christ within me, Thank you.

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_{Read another post about prayer, One Answered Prayer.}