Intentionally Pausing

A Holy Week Experiment in Creating Space

Five Affirmations as a Way of Praying

by Carl Amouzou

I was introduced to the idea of daily affirmations a while ago. Yet, it wasn't until one of my favorite rappers, Stic from dead prez, wrote a song about it that I began to pay attention. To be honest, I chalked up affirmations somewhere between pseudo-positivity and useless. But, I have been trying to grow and change the self-talk-tape—those voices that speak to you throughout the day—in my head. For some time, the self-talk-tape was stuck on negative. I would find myself saying harsh things to myself for even the slightest mistake. And I knew something needed to change. So if affirmations were good enough for Stic, they could possibly be good enough for me. The following are five affirmations from Richard Rohr that I think could help set the tone for this Holy Week. Try reciting these affirmations each day (I would recommend first thing in the morning) as a form of prayer.

It is true that life is hard, and yet my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28).
It is true that you are not important, and yet do you not know that your name is written in heaven? (Luke 10:20).
It is true that your life is not about you, and yet I live now not my own life, but the life of Christ who lives in me(Galatians 2:20).
It is true that you are not in control, and yet can any of you, for all of your worrying, add a single moment to your span of life? (Luke 12:26).
It is true that you are going to die, and yet neither death nor life. . . can ever come between us and the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).

Creating Space for Yourself

Find a way to make space for yourself today. Something that reminds you that you are beloved by the most high, and meant to enjoy life and the beauty around you. Some ideas are:

go for a walk in your favorite place
by yourself (or make) a cup of your favorite hot beverage.
go to the gym
go for a bike ride
sit and read a few chapters from your favorite book
watch an episode of that show you have been putting off