Lord’s Prayer Body Prayer

Over ten years ago Philip Roderick choreographed the Lord’s Prayer body prayer in direct response to an invitation from a visitor to the church where he was the vicar, St Michael and All Angels, Amersham on the Hill. Knowing of Philip's interest in dance, movement, gesture, posture and symbolishm this lady from New Zealand asked ‘What about evolving some movements inspired by texts from Scripture?’ The core prayer in the Jesus tradition provided the first focus. Wonderfully, it is being used by individuals and school groups in many different parts.

The movements are meant to be taken slowly and prayerfully and the words spoken out loud by one person on behalf of the group, with each gesture sculpting the phrases and their meaning or as a solo prayer meditatation.

The DVD Sacred Posture can be purchased in the store. The DVD, containing the Lord’s Prayer body prayer together with a number of others is for use in personal or corporate devotion.

1. Standing

2. Praying hands

3. Our Father

Raise praying hands above head, extend in a circle and return to praying hands position.

4. Who art in Heaven

Repeat movements for 3 (a), (b) and (c).

5. Hallowed be thy name

Repeat movements for 3 (a), (b) and (c).

6. Thy Kingdom come

(Reverse the previous circular movement)

7. Thy will be done

Repeat movements for 6 (a), (b), (c) and (d).

8. On earth

9. As it is in Heaven

10(i). Give us this day our daily bread

Open hands to about a foot apart for personal petition.

10(ii). Opening in silence

11. And forgive us our trespasses

12. As we forgive those who trespass against us

13. Lead us not into temptation

Move the elbows up; the head rises; the arms unfurl upwards.

14. But deliver us from evil

The arms open fully on the word 'deliver'

15. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever

16. Amen

Return to praying hands position.

Click here for a downloadable/printable version of illustrations