Rev. Johanna van Gelder

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2024-03-03 Prayer from the Heart Rev. Dr. Johanna Van Gelder Rev. Dr. Johanna Van Gelder explores the transformative practice of affirmative prayer, explaining how this form of prayer used in the Unity and New Thought traditions is not about begging God to change circumstances but about shifting our consciousness to recognize the divine qualities already within us. She walks through the five steps of affirmative prayer - preparation, purpose, recognition, gratitude, and release - while emphasizing that authentic prayer comes from the heart and engages our feelings and senses rather than being merely a mental exercise. Through powerful stories, including a personal experience praying for her brother's wholeness and the inspiring work of an interfaith prayer group in Jerusalem, Rev. Dr. Johanna Van Gelder illustrates how prayer strengthens community, honors human dignity, and makes a difference whether we pray for ourselves, our loved ones, or the world.
2023-10-22 The Body Johanna Van Gelder Johanna Van Gelder explores the sacred wisdom of the body through the powerful story of Matthew Sanford, a paralyzed yoga practitioner who discovered that our bodies store what our minds cannot process, and she invites us to reconnect with our physical selves as divine expressions. Drawing on teachings from mindfulness meditation, trauma research, and her own experience with illness, Johanna Van Gelder reminds us that bringing awareness, breath, and compassion to our bodies allows energy to flow freely and healing to unfold. She emphasizes that inhabiting our bodies with love not only restores our personal wholeness but ripples outward, deepening our compassion and connection to the world around us. Series: Becoming Wise