Praying with Art: Hearing, Hearing, …Listening

/ Lil Smith

  • Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
  • Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying close attention to the deep breath.
  • Imagine that you hear the Lord as Samuel did.
  • What captures your attention in the painting?
  • Stay with that which captures you.
  • What do you hear?
  • Imagine that you hear the Lord again as Samuel did.
  • Is there another part of this image that captures you?
  • Stay with that which captures you.
  • What do you hear?
  • Imagine that you hear the Lord again as Samuel did.
  • Hold the images that have captured you.
  • Close your eyes.
  • Listen for God’s message for you.
  • Open your eyes and gaze at the image one more time.
  • Notice what captures you now.
  • Is there a call to action from God?
  • Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and listening.  Give thanks for any new insights you have received.
  • Share as you feel led in the reply box below.

Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, January 15, 2012, the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B 
1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)
Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18
1 Corinthians 6:12-20
John 1:43-51

If you use these prayers in other groups, please give credit to author.

Permission to use in not-for-profit settings The Rev. Lil Smith, M.Div., DASD

One thought on “Praying with Art: Hearing, Hearing, …Listening”

  1. Eva – Michigan – OVER WINE by Wisława Szymborska He glanced, gave me extra charm and I took it as my own. Happily I gulped a star. I let myself be invented, modeled on my own reflection in his eyes. I dance, dance, dance in the stir of sudden wings. The chair's a chair, the wine is wine, in a wineglass that's the wineglass standing there by standing there. Only I'm imaginary, make-believe beyond belief; so fictitious that it hurts. And I tell him tales about ants that die of love beneath a dandelion's constellation. I swear a white rose will sing if you sprinkle it with wine. I laugh and I tilt my head cautiously, as if to check whether the invention works. I dance, dance inside my stunned skin, in his arms that create me. Eve from the rib, Venus from foam, Minerva from Jupiter's head- all three were more real than me. When he isn't looking at me, I try to catch my reflection on the wall. And see the nail where a picture used to be.
    natalielibka

    Love the Biblical references!

    http://liseusetheloverofreading.wordpress.com/

    Reply

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