Here is an important warning fro

"....walking a prayer labyrinth, going on a pilgrimage, and making the sign of the cross have served to connect the physical body to the life of faith through the centuries." BodyPrayer, p.4.

"...physical prayer becomes prayer itself. distance runners know well the experience of the body overcoming the mind' desire to quite in the middle of a marathon. Music lovers know what it is to be consumed by the feel and rhythm of a live symphony.... In the same way our physical expressions of faith lead the mind into deeper and more meaningful prayer. In this process the mind comes under the reign of the body in a way that cannot be forced." BodyPrayer, p.4.

"God is never finished with creation, and God is never finished with us. We are constantly being re-created, and we are invited to join God as co-re-creators of the world.... Our prayers beckon re-creation.... We join with all creation in seeking re-creation." BodyPrayer, p.27.

“By sharing the rich prayer life of his Minneapolis church with the world, Doug Pagitt reflects a whole new way of looking at ‘church’–less in terms of ‘what is your mission statement’ or ‘statement of faith’ and more ‘what are your practices and embodied rituals that are uniquely yours?’ BodyPrayer is one of the first books to appreciate that embodied mediation is a key process by which theology is communicated and lived.”
–Leonard Sweet, author of Quantum Spirituality and SoulTsunami

This morning I am reading a book given by an appalled friend. Published in 2005, it was now on sale for $2.00 at the

local "Christian" book store. Body Prayer- The Posture of Intimacy with God, is co-authored by Emergent leader Doug Pagitt and poet/writer Kathryn Prill.

It originally retailed for $15.99/ $ 22.99 in Canadian. It is 150 pages, complete with bible verses and hand drawn illustrations by Colleen Shealer Olson. Body Prayer, is endorsed by Leonard Sweet, Robert Webber, and Phyllis Tickle..... surprise, surprise, no surprise.

Did you know that there are 30 prayer postures? Let's see, Ahh yes, to pray "the prayer of enjoyment" there is Hands Folded, Stretched Above Your Head found in chapter 3. To pray for "God's activity in the lives of others" you need Rubbing Palms Together Vigorously, chapter 21. And don't forget Palms Up in chapter 7 and Palms Down in chapter 15.

Here is an interesting one: This morning I could probably use "The Prayer for Beauty." Page 74 it shows how you are to cup your hands up to your face. I look at the book's illustration and think of another natural emotion, when you cup your hands to your chin and face, you know, as when you are in shock, and say Oh No!

The back of the book reads: "Connect with God Body and Soul"

"It's possible for prayer to become so routine that it's almost meaningless. Head oriented prayer can focus on getting the words just right, while leaving out the rest of who your are. Body Prayer helps you become fully engaged in grayer as you connect with God using more than mere words."

Pagitt's book suggests using a prayer journal. There are also ideas for group use and the use of art and poetry. You are to inhale and exhale with deep breaths.

Nowhere in these pages do I find a prayer for the repentance of false New Age Spirituality teaching.

This book is not worth 2 cents.

Yoga and Eastern meditation techniques are not found in God's word. We are not to empty our minds, but to meditate day and night in his law ( Psalm 1:2), in thy statutes (Psalm 119;48 ), and thy word (Psalm 119:48). We are to pray for spiritual wisdom and understanding. In fact, you could fill countless 150-page books with

true prayer.

The Word of God says,

"Trust in the LORD with all Thine heart; and lean not unto Thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in Thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil." Proverbs 3: 5-7

I suggest a far more helpful book: Faith Undone by Roger Oakland. You can also purchase it from Lighthouse Trails and research more about Doug Pagitt, Leonard Sweet, Robert Webber, and Phyllis Tickle at http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/ and http://lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/.

More Doug Pagitt news: Church Basement Roadshow http://churchbasementroadshow.wordpress.com/

http://tonyj.net/2008/05/15/church-basement-roadshow-press-release/

Do a word search at http://blogsearch.google.com/blogsearch?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&ui=blg&q=Church+basement+roadshow&btnG=Search+Blogs

or http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/search?invocationType=topsearchbox.search&query=Church+Basement+Roadshow+

Those who do a search for BodyPrayer may find themselves on more obviously pagan websites such as these: http://www.bodyprayer.com.au and http://bodyprayer.blogspot.com

"Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:8