You Are Not Alone - Prayer in Motion: 5 Days to Relieving Stress and Praying with Your Whole Self

“Carry each other’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2, NLT)

“God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.” (1 Corinthians 12:6, NLT)

While connection is key to a more flourishing life, disconnection—whether through social isolation or feelings of loneliness—can have a withering effect on your life, putting you at greater risk of developing serious mental and physical health conditions. Loneliness and isolation can feel like a heaviness or lack of energy and can negatively impact your self- worth.

To be clear, times of solitude are not entirely negative, and being alone can often be a healthy, positive choice that can help reduce stress and benefit your mental and spiritual health, giving you space to connect with God and with yourself. Loneliness is not about being physically alone, but about feeling socially disconnected. Even those who enjoy times of solitude still need to connect with others.

Unfortunately, disconnection is common in our connected-online-but-disconnected-in-person world. About one in three adults in the US report feeling lonely, and one in four adults report not having social and emotional support.^a Loneliness is all around us.

Pay attention to any feelings of disconnection or loneliness you may be experiencing, and begin to look for the signs of loneliness in others. We were made for connection. Let loneliness act as a reminder to move toward greater connection. It can be something as simple as sending a text, offering a smile, or meeting a friend for coffee. Even little glimmers of connection can remind us we’re not alone.

Consider the ways you typically seek or avoid connection in your life. Our souls were made to seek meaningful connection, but too often we settle for online distraction that only leaves us ultimately feeling disconnected and isolated from our own feelings and the actual lives of others. We weren’t meant to live in a bubble. Our lives were always meant to intersect with one another. The truth is, we need each other. We never meant to go it alone.

Prayer can be a powerful conduit to deeper connection, not only to God but also to yourself and to others. God moves and works in all of our lives, and He gives us one another to embody His love and care in each other’s lives. When you pray with someone and carry their burdens with them to the feet of Jesus, you get to experience the beauty and joy that come from a genuine connection flowing from His faithful love that unites us all.

Check in with your body and soul today. What small step can you take towards connecting with other people in your life? Here are a few ideas:

• Ask a friend to join you for a task you usually do solo, like walking the dog or grocery shopping.
• Say “hi” to people on the sidewalk.
• Chat with someone in line at the store.
• Invite someone over for dinner or a game night.
• Send a simple text, like “I was just thinking about you and wanted to say hi.”
• Do random acts of kindness.
• Join a Bible study group.
• Ask for help.
• Check in on a friend or relative who lives alone.
• Write a thank-you note or email to let someone know how much of a difference they make in your life.

An Embodied Prayer for Today

(Inhale as you lift your arms into the air, stretching up toward the sun. Breathe deeply as you pray.)

Heavenly Father, I praise You for…

(Exhale as you bow your head and bend forward, stretching your arms down toward the ground. Breathe deeply as you pray words of supplication to God.)

I ask You for…
or I give You…

(End the prayer standing up, with your hands folded over your heart.)

Make me a vessel of Your grace – pour Your love and mercy into me. Let Your compassion and goodness flow through me, and water the world with Your beautiful grace.

Amen.