Pretty Little Prayers
Micro-prayers for mundane moments
Prayers for ordinary moments.
Everyday when I shower I say, please wash away any negativity that doesn’t serve me. or variations of that which are: Wash away any energy that doesn’t belong to me. Cleanse me of any anxiety. Wash away what isn’t meant for me. Though I don’t think of it as a prayer, as much as it is a ritual, I love the beauty of taking moments for prayers even when they’re the most mundane.
The point I’m making is, you don’t need a cathedral to pray. I took a stab at writing a Micro-Prayers for mundane moments. To turns my day into a living poem. But why not pray for your best moments throughout the day?
While washing dishes: “As I clear this table, clear my mind of the day’s clutter.”
While walking to the car: “May my steps be steady and my eyes be open to the beauty of the commute.”
This is a wonderful way to practice “mindfulness as prayer.” By tethering a specific thought to a physical action, you turn your chores and routines into a series of small, sacred pauses.
Morning: The Awakening
Waking up: “As I open my eyes, open my heart to the possibilities hidden in this ordinary day.” Or “Delight and surprise me to the magic hidden in this ordinary day.”
Brushing teeth: “Cleanse my speech today; may the words I choose be refreshing and kind.” Or “Make me speak what is most important to me in a way that is confident and articulate.”
Drinking coffee/tea: “As this cup warms my hands, may peace warm my spirit from the inside out.” Or “Have this nourish me with warmth and the reassurance of safety.”
Getting dressed: “As I put on these clothes, clothe me in a spirit of compassion and resilience.” Or “Remind me that I am capable.”
Mid-Day: The Momentum
Opening your laptop/Starting work: “Bless the work of my hands; let my efforts be of service, and my focus be steady.” Or “Please allow me to do my best work,” Or “Allow me to be productive with my time.”
Stuck in traffic: “Remind me that I am not behind; I am exactly where I am.” Or “Grant me the patience of the mountain and the flow of the river.”
Hearing a notification/Phone ringing: “Before I react, let me breathe. May I see the person on the other side of this screen as a soul, not a task.” Or, “Allow me to not get distracted by useless notifications or scrolling.”
Eating lunch: “Thank you for the sun, the soil, and the hands that prepared this. May this fuel me for the good I have yet to do.” Or “Allow this food to nourish my body, wherever it needs it the most.”
Afternoon: The Maintenance
Folding laundry: “As I smooth these wrinkles, smooth the anxieties of my mind.” Or “May I feel loved, confident, and pretty as I wear these clothes.”
Checking the mail: “May I receive what comes today with a calm heart, whether it is a bill, a gift, or a silence.” Or “I receive all the good intentions that are sent to me, and I send others love and good intentions as well.”
Walking through a doorway: “I leave what happened in that room behind; I enter this new space with a fresh perspective.” Or “I am stepping into a new positive energy, one that leads me closer to my best self.”
Grocery shopping: “In this abundance, let me be grateful.” Or “Remind me of those who have less, and keep my heart generous.”
Evening: The Closing
Taking off shoes: “I lay down the burdens of the day. I am home; I am safe; I am enough.” Or “I let go of anything that no longer serves me, including hurts, wounds, or things that shouldn’t take up space in my mind.”
Washing your face: “Wash away the dust of the day’s worries. I release the things I did not finish.” Or “Relax and ground me. Remind me of my beauty without all the frills.”
Turning off the lights: “As the room goes dark, I trust the stars. I surrender my plans to the night.” Or “Help remind me that anything I didn’t accomplish I could work on tomorrow. I release the need to perform and I step into safety and relaxation.”
Lying down in bed: “I fall into the arms of Grace. May my sleep be deep and my dreams be healing.” Or “May I have restful sleep and a peaceful night. May my sleep rejuvenate my body in whatever areas it needs.”
A Tip for Remembering Them
You don’t have to memorize all of these! Pick one or two that represent the parts of your day that usually feel the most stressful or rushed. You could even write a three-word version on a post-it note and stick it to your mirror or dashboard. I honestly just think of these in the moment, and say whatever comes to me. As I mentioned, I’ve been doing them in the shower for months now, and have recently incorporated them in moments I remember. When I do them before bed, I have the best, restful sleep so I highly recommend adding this cute little ritual into your life!
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