Palms Down, Palms Up

A common practice I use in my God time is called “palms down, palms up”. I found it originally in Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster, in the chapter on meditation.

First, I’ll quote it in full:

The following is a brief exercise to aid you in “re-collection” that is simply called “palms down, palms up.” Begin by placing your palms down as a symbolic indication of your desire to turn over any concerns you may have to God. Inwardly you may pray, “Lord, I give to you my anger toward John. I release my fear of my dentist appointment this morning. I surrender my anxiety over not having enough money to pay the bills this month. I release my frustration over trying to find a baby-sitter for tonight.” Whatever it is that weighs on your mind or is a concern to you, just say, “palms down.” Release it. You may even feel a certain sense of release in your hands. After several moments of surrender, turn your palms up as a symbol of your desire to receive from the Lord. Perhaps you will pray silently: “Lord, I would like to receive your divine love for John, your peace about the dentist appointment, your patience, your joy.” Whatever you need, you say, “palms up.” Having centered down, spend the remaining moments in complete silence. Do not ask for anything. Allow the Lord to commune with you, to love you. If impressions or directions come, fine; if not, fine.

For my self, in the “palms down” part I normally tell God my emotions, especially looking for the “bad” ones, like anger or anxiety. I’m a very emotional person so this is very helpful for me. After a bit of sifting through them, I stretch my hands out and downward a little and say to God. “I give you my anger, my anxiety, etc.”. Usually I picture Jesus standing in front of me, and picture the emotions or other bits that I’m turning over to him as stones or rocks that I’m laying at his feet. Then as I turn my palms upward, I move my gaze upward from his feet to his face. Looking into his face I say “I accept whatever you have for me”. I then sit and listen and wait with my eyes closed. To be honest I don’t feel I’m very good at listening, but I’m still learning. Often during this time I’ll slowly repeat a bit of scripture that’s important to me in my current season. Sometimes I’ll visual Jesus and myself sitting together or walking together. Sometimes it seems like some bit of inspiration comes to me, but I don’t think that happens too often. As Richard says above, ” If impressions or directions come, fine; if not, fine.”

I use this practice at any time of the day, not just my morning God time. For me it’s a nice way to intentionally step out of the hurry and distraction of my day and spend a few moments with God. You only need a minute or two – literally! But what a challenge it can be choosing to actually take those two minutes to God! It’s surprising how much I can resist something that know is a blessing for me. I enjoy it and I know at the very least it calms me down. It can also be a gateway for God to help me with my struggles. Sure, God doesn’t need me to do “palms down, palms up” in order to help me. But I do seem to find a good number of those “bad” emotions I share with him have faded away later in the day. I choose to give Him credit for that, and greatly appreciate his love in doing that. But I’m OK if nothing changes also. It’s supposed to be about turning things over to God and being with him, not getting things from him.

My “goal” is to do spend this kind of time with God several times a day. Now don’t think I’m doing it 20 times a day! I usually only remember it at most once a day outside of my God time. And I don’t beat myself up for missing it. But I do think, “it would have been nice to share that (emotion, happening, etc.) with Him”. And I smile, knowing he’ll be there the next time I turn to him.