DRAWING Closer To God Meditative Prayer Through Doodling

‘DRAWING’ Closer To God Meditative Prayer Through Doodling Jennifer Quinn Consultant, Religious and Family Life Education

“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, ” Matthew 14: 23

Christian Meditation • Is a way of becoming present to God and entering into the prayer of the heart • Helps us enter into the actual experience of praying and enables us to fully attend to God while we pray • An authentic way to pray and helps us on our faith journey • It is a form of prayer and a discipline that requires practice, concentration and commitment

• Different kind of mindfulness – where we focus on God and not a mental reflection on oneself • When we meditate we move the mental prayer (prayer of the mind) to a deeper level, the heart (prayer of the heart). • It is an acknowledgement that the Spirit dwells within us and that we need to be quiet and still to listen to the Spirit “Be still and know that I am God. ” Psalm 46: 10

Christian Meditation through the Ages – Historical Background • Not new and not a fad! • Ancient form of prayer dating back to the 3 rd and 4 th centuries under the Roman Empire • St. John Cassian • Fr. John Main • Fr. Laurence Freeman

Fruits of Christian Meditation • • Deepens one’s personal relationship with God Leads to increased self-knowledge and self-acceptance Increases the desire to build community with others Reduces stress, increases sense of wellbeing and harmony • Boosts energy levels, increases productivity, creativity and physical stamina “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ” -Galatians 5: 22

So what do you do when prayer life gets stale, and meditation in the traditional way is difficult for you, try something new! Praying in Color = prayer + doodling Why Pray in Color? 1) You want to pray but words escape you. 2) Sitting still and staying focused in prayer are a challenge. 3) Your body wants to be part of your prayer. 4) You want to just hang out with God but don’t know how. 5) Listening to God feels like an impossible task. 6) Your mind wanders and your body complains.

• Praying in Colour is an active, meditative prayer practice. • It is both process and product. • The product is a colourful design or drawing that is a visual reminder of the time spent in prayer, in meditation.

Materials: • paper, canvas, cardstock, journal, composition book, clipboard • Coloured markers, pencil crayons, sharpies, pens

Steps: 1. Find a quiet space. 2. Recite or read a passage from Scripture OR say a prayer or sing a verse of a favourite hymn to gather the pieces of your body, mind, and spirit together. 3. Sit in your chair and take several deep breaths for a few minutes, with each exhale, release the “TO DO” list 4. Draw a shape on the page, any shape. Write the name of a person you want to pray for in the shape, a line from scripture, something that is bothering you, or even God’s name.

5. Continue drawing using different shapes, colours and designs to pray out your thoughts. As you draw each line, or make each dot, talk to God about your praise, thanksgiving, or request. Meditate on each thought. Fill up your paper with your doodles and prayers. 5. Linger with the page in front of you. Let the names and words and images wash over you. Spend a moment with each person in silence as a way of lifting them up – offering that person into the Presence of God. Spend time in silence or repeat the person’s name over and over. You can say ‘Amen’ before you move on to the next person in your drawing. 5. Take your drawing with you – transport the visual memories in your mind so that you can pray throughout the day.

Let’s try it!!

Variations • As Intercessions for Others • For Remembering -Grief, Sorrow -prayers -scripture • For Discernment -visualizing issues, pressures you are facing • With Calendars -Lent or Advent, for people, places, or situations outside of your normal everyday prayer life. -can be intercessory

Lectio Divina (with Scripture) 1. Lectio “You have fed them with the bread of tears; You have given them bowls of tears to drink. ” Psalm 80: 5 2. Meditatio

3. Oratio 4. Contemplatio

Thank You & Happy Doodling!! “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ” Matthew 11: 28