I co-wrote these guides for the Fayetteville Prayer Room with my friend, Lana, who guides contemplative prayer gatherings here.
I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will consider all your works and
Meditate on all your mighty deeds. -Psalm 77: 11-12
Contemplative prayer engages both the mind and heart. As we pray, God guides our thoughts, gently stirs our emotions, and deepens our awareness of His presence.
Five hundred years ago, St. Ignatius of Loyola developed a powerful contemplative prayer practice known as Imaginative Prayer. As you read Scripture and pray imaginatively, God can bring revelation, transformation and a sweet sense of being seen and deeply loved by Him.
Imaginative prayer is especially well-suited for reading parables and historical scenes in the Bible. As you pray, the Holy Spirit can speak to you through a scene in a personal and meaningful way.
Find a quiet place where you can focus uninterrupted. Begin by inviting God to speak to you. Pray, “Lord, I submit my imagination to You now. Please silence all fear, shame and sinful thoughts in my mind. Also, guard me from the lies of the enemy during this prayer time. I ask You to speak to me as You choose. I trust You. Amen.”
As you read, picture the scene as if you were making a film. Notice the details– sights, sounds, tastes, smells, and feelings. Let yourself be drawn into the story. At some point, step into the scene yourself.
Become a character and interact with the Lord as He leads. What do you notice? How do you feel? What might God want to show you or give you? Be open to receiving whatever He has for you in this moment.
If you worry about your imagination running too wild, remember that you have offered your time of prayer to God. You can pause anytime and discern: Is what I’m experiencing drawing me closer to Christ, or pulling me away?
Some people find imaginative prayer difficult. You may not be able to picture the scene easily, yet you may have some intuition or gut reaction to the story. Or you may hear or feel the story more than visualize it. In a spirit of generosity, pray as you are able; don’t try to force it. Rest assured that God will speak to you, whether through your memory, intellect, emotions or imagination.
Guide: The Burning Bush – Exodus 3
Read Exodus 3:1-6. Close your Bible.
You are in a desert place. You are not Moses or like him. Just be yourself. Look around. Notice what you see. Then notice a light a little way off from where you’re standing. Walk towards it to investigate it. As you draw near, you might hear your name being called. And then, worship the Lord present in that bush in whatever way feels right to you. Listen to anything else you might hear, and be open to whatever else might happen.