“We are of Earth, and belong to You. Every step that we take upon You should be done in a sacred manner; each step should be as a prayer.” –Black Elk, Native American Spiritual Leader

Many people find the power of prayer to be stronger, like meditation, when it is performed in a different place once in a while, such as outside, in a natural environment. Praying outdoors helps us connect our inner voices to the underlying logic and abundance of nature and the universe of which we are a part—whether we pray to God, Goddess, Allah, Brahman, Higher Power, or the Absolute.

Try sitting quietly in a natural area and asking yourself:

What is your prayer for yourself and those around you right now?

If you were to ask the Divine for what you think you need, what would that be? Take a deep breath and imagine what Spirit would say to you.

Do you feel you shouldn’t pray for yourself, but only for others? Does it make you feel guilty to ask for something for yourself?

Imagine what you would like for someone else to pray for you right now. Does it match what you would like for yourself? Is it more generous on your behalf than you usually are toward yourself?

Pray for yourself as you would have others pray for you.