Praying with Images Prayer Activity
What for?
‘Visio divina’ is a form of prayer where we invite God to speak to our hearts as we look at an image. It translates as, ‘divine seeing.’ As you look at an image, you may consider some questions for reflection. They reflection may help you hear God’s voice. Some questions you may want to ignore. At the end of the visio divina, you will be invited to share a word or phrase to express your experience of the image.
What do you need?
Choose an image that you would like to pray with. This is traditionally done with a painting or icon, however it can also be done with a photograph.
How do you do it?
As you look at the image, notice your breath and your body.
Simply be present to the image and allow it to speak to your heart, without any particular agenda. It might speak to you in words or wordlessly.
Be still and patient as you get acquainted with the image. Take time between the following questions to pay attention and to consider what the Spirit is communicating to you.
How do you feel looking at the image?
If you had to describe the image in a sentence or two silently to yourself, what would you say?
Do any questions or imperfections catch your attention about the image?
If you were in the image, where would you place yourself?
Do you get a glimpse of the sacred from this image? Is God speaking to you in this image?
Does a name for God arise for you from this image? In silence, sit with what you have received.
If you choose, share aloud a word or phrase to express your experience of the image.
After spending some time with the image, be in prayerful silence about what you just experienced. What questions do you still wrestle with? Ask God to reveal to you why certain things captured your attention.
