Prayer as Dancing with God

Mechthild of Magdeburg (1210-1280), in Northern Germany, was a complicated and profound spiritual writer and nun. And she was something of a free-spirit, whose prayers speak to a modern audience. She sure speaks to me, especially when she connects prayer with dancing. Why not prayer as dancing with God? We get so stiff and formal and burdensome in our praying that we forget that prayer is also meant to be joyous, even fun. So let your heart dance with Mechthild as you read and pray her prayer:
“I cannot dance, O Lord, unless you lead me. If it is your will, I can leap with joy. But you must show me how to dance and sing by dancing and singing yourself! With you I will leap towards love, and from love I will leap to truth, and from truth I will leap to joy, and then I shall leap beyond all human senses. There I will remain and dance for evermore.”
Though your body may not dance while in prayer, your spirit can. You can move with the Holy Spirit, who is ever in motion, like the wind. As Jesus said, “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).
I have moved with the Spirit-wind and danced with God in prayer. After a memorable dance-prayer, led by God, I thanked God with these words, which still move within my grateful heart:

“If it is only for this one dance that we are partners,
Then thank You for moving toward me silently, graciously across
The darkened dance floor with markers but no beginning or end;
Thank You for reaching out with assured, assuring hands
Inviting me to join You in a dance unfamiliar
Yet strangely that for which I seem gladly made.

“If it is only for this one dance that we are partners,
Then thank You for choosing me, even me
Though I would have chosen You had I known You were there for the asking,
As You knew I was there for You unsuspecting;
Thank You for encompassing me with Your love-arms arousing and aware;
Though I cannot see Your face or hear Your voice,
My heart basks in Your gaze serene and senses Your words
Of fanning favor, fervor, and promise.

“If it is only for this one dance that we are partners,
Then thank You for leading me around and around the clouded floor
Liltingly, laughingly, lovingly, longingly;
Thank You for guiding me through a dance of Your design alone,
Yet whose rhythms arise in my heart
In harmonic response to Your turning me this way and that
In an embrace that will not end as long as I am;
For I will cleave to You in heart and spirit,
Should You move on to other partners
And dances beyond my vision.”

Who knows, perhaps we will dance with the Spirit of God in heaven. You can begin now by letting God lead you in the wordless flow of prayer.

Finally, I am reminded of that great love song, “Cheek to Cheek.” I remember Fred Astaire singing this song, while dancing with Ginger Rogers. Properly understood, it fits well with a vision of dancing with God in what is to come. I have heard these words sung in my head and heart countless times. The first verse:

“Heaven, I’m in heaven
And my heart beats so that I can hardly speak
And I seem to find the happiness I seek
When we’re out together, dancing cheek to cheek.”