The Sursum Corda
‘Lift up your hearts’
’We lift them to the Lord’
It’s an ancient command to orient your entire self—mind, body, spirit—toward God’s presence, used for 2,000 years at the Eucharist and available to you every moment of every day.”
Why it matters
It’s the foundation of all Christian worship
The Sursum Corda is the oldest, most universal element in Christian worship.
It dates back to at least the 3rd century and appears in virtually every Christian tradition: Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Reformed, for over 2,000 years.
Billions of Christians over thousands of years have stood and said these words.
It isn’t just a catchy and uplifting slogan - though it is that! - it is grounding us in the ancient Christian faith.
It reorients our whole self. We live in a world constantly pulling us downward: to our worries, our phones, our tasks, our anxieties, our responsibilities.
“Hearts Up” is a call to turn ourselves upward:towards God
towards light and life and love
towards what matters.
It is not gentle suggestion for the church. It’s a summons.
“Lift up your hearts,” God says.
”Hearts up!”, we reply.
Here we are, God.
It’s spiritual stretching
When we say ‘Hearts Up!’ we’re participating in what the early Christians called “the ascension of the heart.”
We’re not just thinking about God - we’re internally climbing. Our soul is reaching upward to join the heavenly liturgy, the worship happening around God’s throne.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. - Colossians 3:1-2
We’re aligning ourselves with actual spiritual reality.
Why this Practice?
Hearts Up! is an ancient command to orient your entire self - mind, body, spirit - toward God’s presence. Available to you every moment of every day.
It’s not complicated. It’s not mysterious. It takes 3 seconds.
You’re learning to turn toward God.
This isn’t a technique I invented.
This is what the Church has prayed at every Eucharist for 1,800+ years. When the earliest Christians gathered to break bread, they didn’t start with casual chit-chat. They began by reorienting their entire beings toward God: ‘Hearts up! Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.’
Try It Right Now
Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing:
Say out loud: “Hearts up!”
Raise your arms in the ‘orans’ position if you want to add Bodily Prayer.
Say ‘Heart’s up!’ when you’re overwhelmed with gratitude…
… or when you’re having a bad day..
… or anytime you need to turn towards God.
Notice what happens in your body and spirit
In two seconds, you’ve joined 2,000 years of Christian practice.
The Complete Hearts up! Practice:
Hearts up! Quick Start
Hearts up! Why it matters today
Hearts up!: Where the Practice comes from
Hearts up! Biblical foundation
Hearts up!: How to Practice
Hearts up!: Troubleshooting (your Trainers are here for you!)
