Acknowledging the Sacred in Prayer

A PRAYER BEFORE SEX

You are everything I dreamed of.
Thank you, God.
I love to look at you, as I love to be seen by you.
Thank you, God.
This gift we have is like nothing I have ever experienced before.
Bold and beautiful. Electricity and velvet.
For this we thank you, God.
When I hold you in my arms I breathe "Thank you, God." As you pull me close to you I feel that energy which courses through you and swallow the words, "Thank you, God."
And my heart sings.
Thank you, God.
Amen.

It was the day before St. Valentine's Day. We had yet to touch each other. My husband looked deep into my eyes and began to tell me how wonderful it is when we come together to share our bodies. I know this sharing is a gift that God has given us and after each positive, affirming statement, I began to say "thank you, God" or some variation of that response. It felt very powerful and I said "Amen" at the end (or now wish that I had said "Amen" or, at the very least, "so be it.") We proceeded to the other room where we began to surrender to our lovemaking. Then -- we had the most powerful sexual experience we had ever had.

I wonder if I can describe the differentness of it?

It was the lights and the fire, both externally and internally. It was that weightless, less than a moment place. The place that's gone almost before you perceive it. It is as if the two of us are connected in timeless space. Physical and yet not. Silent -- even as the noises of home continue around us. We found ourselves in a new experience, physically and internally. The energy that passed between us conjoined us in an ultra-ecstasy we had never experienced before. What is it, this electrical, buzzing sensation I have in my body? (Do you have it to?) What is it if not directly connected to God (at least in the way I understand God). Within it is a deep serenity.

Just listen. Within and beyond the physical, bodily experience. Timelessness. Something you feel on your skin and in your skin. Suspended and yet grounded.

A mystery...