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Pray Deep

A Better Change

M y childhood church was filled with beautiful, century-old stained glass windows. Intricate, elaborate, stunning – especially when the sun hit them just right. Each window told a story. The big ones on either side of the sanctuary told stories from Jesus’ life. Angels who proclaimed his birth, Jesus at the well, the shepherds receiving the news of Jesus’ birth. How I loved to look at those windows and soak in each detail.

I didn’t know it then, but viewing art can be a form of prayer. Visio Divina, “divine seeing,” is a form of prayer using images. You can use any form of art – icons, religious paintings, or even stained glass windows.

We are each wired in different ways. Some of us respond better to the written word, some to the spoken word, some to music, some to art, some even to movement. Through this exploration of prayer, I’ve found we can connect to God in each of these ways. Though we may have a preferred sense though which to pray, the richest prayer life will come through experiencing God through all your senses.

I didn’t expect to connect so deeply through art. I wanted to explore visio divina and include it in the series because it sounded interesting, but I didn’t think this would be “my way.” I’ve discovered so many others that speak to me. Yet, as I spent time with a painting of Rembrandt’s “The Storm on the Sea of Galilee” this morning, I felt God speaking through it to me. Speaking exactly what I needed to hear this morning, just the words to soothe over a recent hurt and get me moving again.

If this method of prayer is new to you, too, I encourage you to give it a try.

Find a piece of art to use. Search online for famous paintings – most of the great masters painted religious scenes (Rembrandt, Michelangelo, etc). Or, find a stained glass window that is meaningful to you.

1) Prepare: Close your eyes, breathe, clear your mind, and ask God to enter into this time of prayer with you. Ask God to speak to you through this image.

2) Lectio (read): Open your eyes and scan the image. Note what draws your interest, but continue to scan the whole image. Close and rest your eyes a minute.

3) Mediatio (meditate): Open your eyes and let your eyes be led. Focus on just this part of the image and name it. Close your eyes, seeing that piece of the image in your mind.

4) Oratio (pray): Open your eyes and look again at the piece of the image that caught your eye. Allow it to bring forth a word, image, or emotion. Close and rest your eyes.

5) Contemplatio (contemplation): Open your eyes and gaze at the image. What is God speaking to you today through this image? Spend time processing that with God. Maybe journal about it.

If you’re intrigued by this form of prayer, below are some additional resources:

A Guided Visio Divina Experience @ SoulShepherding.org

Praying with Art @ Patheos.com

The Practice of Visio Divina @ St Mark’s Episcopal Church

This series includes prayer cards for each type of prayer. You can download and print these to use as reference and ideas during your prayer time. Each post will include the specific prayer card for that day, or you can download the whole set HERE .

Prayer Card: Visio Divina

PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Try out Visio Divina today. If you need an image, use Rembrandt’s “ The Storm on the Sea of Galilee .” See how God can speak to you through an image – a painting, a window, an illustration. Journal your experience.

Sharing with: #TellHisStory , Thought Provoking Thursday , Grace and Truth , Recommendation Saturday

A.C.T.S. – A Guide to Pray as Jesus Taught

What’s the Big Deal About Prayer Anyway?

Sit, Stand, or Kneel? How Should I Pray?

Praying As Jesus Taught: The Lord’s Prayer

Please note: I reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive or off-topic.

kathy wallace says: March 19, 2015 at 2:11 pm I have not heard of this, but I thank you for bring it to my attention. I will try this. Thanks so much for all the work you do on your blog. I feel so enriched after finding and reading you. You are truly gifted and thank you for sharing. Reply Kathryn says: March 20, 2015 at 4:51 am Kathy – thank you for your encouraging words here! It was truly wonderful to read this comment today. I’m so glad you these words are speaking to you. Reply

I have not heard of this, but I thank you for bring it to my attention. I will try this. Thanks so much for all the work you do on your blog. I feel so enriched after finding and reading you. You are truly gifted and thank you for sharing.

Kathryn says: March 20, 2015 at 4:51 am Kathy – thank you for your encouraging words here! It was truly wonderful to read this comment today. I’m so glad you these words are speaking to you. Reply

Kathy – thank you for your encouraging words here! It was truly wonderful to read this comment today. I’m so glad you these words are speaking to you.

Abby says: March 19, 2015 at 3:54 pm I love this, Kathryn! I have never heard of this type of prayer before but I am very intrigued. I am definitely going to try this. I am a very visual person so it makes perfect sense to me that there would be a form of prayer centered around visual stimulation. Thanks for sharing! Reply Kathryn says: March 20, 2015 at 4:49 am This one was new to me, too, but when I read about it I knew I had to try it. I was surprised how much it affected me. Definitely one I’ll need to explore further. Reply

I love this, Kathryn! I have never heard of this type of prayer before but I am very intrigued. I am definitely going to try this. I am a very visual person so it makes perfect sense to me that there would be a form of prayer centered around visual stimulation. Thanks for sharing!

Kathryn says: March 20, 2015 at 4:49 am This one was new to me, too, but when I read about it I knew I had to try it. I was surprised how much it affected me. Definitely one I’ll need to explore further. Reply

This one was new to me, too, but when I read about it I knew I had to try it. I was surprised how much it affected me. Definitely one I’ll need to explore further.

joanneviola says: March 21, 2015 at 9:11 am I have always thought the stained glass in churches were beautiful as they so tell a story. I have never heard of this type of prayer before. It is always good to learn of ways to keep prayer fresh so thank you! Reply Kathryn says: March 22, 2015 at 7:47 am This type of prayer was new to me, too, but I love the idea of using pictures and windows as a prayer tool. Wish I’d known this one growing up, sitting in church so mesmerized by the beautiful windows. Reply

I have always thought the stained glass in churches were beautiful as they so tell a story. I have never heard of this type of prayer before. It is always good to learn of ways to keep prayer fresh so thank you!

Kathryn says: March 22, 2015 at 7:47 am This type of prayer was new to me, too, but I love the idea of using pictures and windows as a prayer tool. Wish I’d known this one growing up, sitting in church so mesmerized by the beautiful windows. Reply

This type of prayer was new to me, too, but I love the idea of using pictures and windows as a prayer tool. Wish I’d known this one growing up, sitting in church so mesmerized by the beautiful windows.

Pingback: Pray Deep: Ignite Your Prayer Life - Finding Hope

Arabah Joy says: March 26, 2015 at 10:51 pm More great thoughts here today. Thanks for sharing this! I’m still using your prayer prompt idea… everytime someone around me spits on the ground. Thanks for linking with Grace and Truth. Reply Kathryn says: March 27, 2015 at 9:40 pm Very interesting prayer prompt! Reply

More great thoughts here today. Thanks for sharing this! I’m still using your prayer prompt idea… everytime someone around me spits on the ground. Thanks for linking with Grace and Truth.

Kathryn says: March 27, 2015 at 9:40 pm Very interesting prayer prompt! Reply

Very interesting prayer prompt!

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