Praying outside the box: part 1b

Advent 2024

“But I’m not artistic,” I hear you say, “This has nothing to do with me,” But you’re wrong, which is why I am concentrating on colouring and doodling in this post. If you have the skills to be the next iconographer, El Greco or Henri Matisse, then great, but if you have lesser skills you can still colour in and doodle.

Again this isn’t a quick exercise. Take time and do things slowly and deliberately.

The doodle above was crafted by yours truly during a Church life group—basically a midweek congregation of snacks, small talk and prayer at people’s homes. At this point, it’s less about articulating my thoughts and more about channelling my inner Picasso, although let’s be honest, my artistic prowess is more akin to that of a kindergartener with a crayon. In this masterpiece, the wild, chaotic squiggles leading to a serene riverside scene might seem profound, but the real miracle is that I didn’t spill my coffee on it. If I had a do-over, I’d ignore the urge to write anything and just let the doodle do the heavy lifting—after all, it’s probably more insightful than my ramblings!

There are three ways I use art in prayer.

Colouring as calming. As a centring exercise.

Colouring in offers a wonderful escape here. As I fill in each shape, I gently let the cares of the world fade away, inviting God’s presence into my heart. In those moments, I often find myself expressing gratitude for His boundless creativity, reflecting on how vastly different it is from my own.

The surprising truth is that there are times when I find myself colouring outside the lines. Prayer isn’t always a serene experience; it can often be filled with frustration as we navigate a world that feels increasingly chaotic. In the creation story from Genesis chapter 1, we see God speaking into the chaos, bringing forth order and beauty. Engaging in creative acts, even something as simple as colouring, allows us to mirror that divine creativity and find solace amidst the disorder.

Prayer doodling

As a response to God

There are many ways of responding to God. One way is to respond in words, perhaps in confession. Another is to go out and feed the hungry and fight for the rights of the privileged. Yes. that’s Biblical, Isaiah 58:6-7 says: “Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?”

How you engage with God in prayer truly hinges on two significant factors: God and yourself. Have you felt God’s presence during your prayer time? What messages might He be conveying to you? If you find it challenging to hear Him, consider offering God a visual response instead. For those who possess artistic talents, this might take the form of a piece of art, but remember, most of us aren’t professional artists. Even a simple doodle can carry meaning. Share your feelings through a drawing without fear of imperfections—rather, embrace the honesty in your expression. The image featured in this post represents one of my early attempts; looking back, I realize that the doodled trees beside the water could have been more prominent, reflecting my growth in this practice.

As a prayer

Praying through creating art is one thing. What I have below is for the less artistic.

When you pray for someone, consider drawing something that symbolizes them. I often use simple stick figures, while others may write the person’s name on a piece of paper. As you hold their image and their needs in your heart before God, let your pen flow around the drawing. This gentle act of doodling can be a comforting way to focus your thoughts and intentions on that individual, bringing them closer to your heart in prayer.

This is not a substitute for praying in words, but something that can be done in addition.