Meeting with God Every Day
Your own Creation
Whether it be a professional painting or a casual doodle art can express what cannot be expressed in words, and it can also be a meditative tool to help focus your mind. Many people have a tendency to doodle to keep their mind from wandering. You don’t need to be a professional artist to engage in artistic prayer or spiritual contemplation. One of the wonderful things about art is that it is so accessible - regardless of age, ability, or background.
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When was the last time you allowed yourself the opportunity to create a piece of art, a painting, a doodle, a sculpture or a collage. As adults, we can all too easily become caught up in a world solely occupied by serious words, and forget our God-given capacity to play and create. Many people consider art to be something for those who have talent rather than a way of expressing our own unique creativity. But using art as a form of prayer is not about demonstrating our artistic skills or talents but instead it is a way of expressing our relationship with God. Art can offer a new perspective and fresh insights as well as an opportunity to release our emotions.
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Colouring, drawing, and doodling: can be a very effective form of prayerful meditation and has become more popular in recent years with the trend of adult colouring books and bibles.
Modelling clay: find inspiration in God’s beautiful world and sculpt what you find using modelling clay.
Knitting, sewing: whether doing so for practical reasons, hobby or simple creativity do so in prayerful contemplation and with spiritual intent.
Producing a creative display: like the harvest picture below
There is no wrong or right way to pray through art - and no wrong way to pray. It is not the method, but the meaning and intent that matter. Prayer is about communicating with God, about opening yourself up to hear God. And there is no limit to the languages God speaks and understands. God hears our prayers whether we say them privately, sing them together in church, paint them in pictures, sculpt them in clay, knit them in wool, or doodle them on scrap paper.
Prayerful Meditation whilst Creating
Quiet preparation:
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take time to gather the materials and tools you wish to use for your art. Hold them in your hand
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feel the paper / paint / clay / craft materials...
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close your eyes and take 5-6 rounds of full inhalations and exhalations taking any distractions, or worries into your mind as you inhale and letting them go as you exhale.
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when you’re ready to start and be present in the moment open your eyes and open your heart and mind to God.
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ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit
About Me
Through this website I will try to share my views and experiences of Meeting God in the Everyday.
I am a wife, sister, friend and in the past I have been a nurse in the NHS, an Acupuncturist and since 2014 I've been an ordained minister in the Church of England. At the moment I am the vicar of four rural parishes in South Warwickshire.
Meeting with God Every Day
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Intention
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begin to draw, paint, mould or cut out shapes, patterns or images, craft or sew. Don’t begin with the intention to create something specific in this time, but rather allow the Spirit of God to direct your thoughts. It’s not about getting it right but letting your mind just wander as you create.
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give yourself time to create, in silence or with musical accompaniment allow yourself to be fully aware of God’s presence with you. Perhaps dwell on a scriptural passage.
Attention
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take a few minutes to let yourself take in what you physically see, feel, smell or hear.
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is there a shape, colour or texture that catches your attention? Concentrate on that.
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Try to keep your eyes from wandering to other parts of the whole. Breathe deeply and let your mind stay for a minute or so, with the very first thing that catches your attention.
Meditation
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now, let your mind take in the whole process of what you’re doing. Take your time, see and feel it all for a minute or so.
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be aware of any feelings that arise in you as you craft and try not to label them as "right" or "wrong" just notice them and then turn your heart to God sharing these feelings and considering what these feelings might be trying to say. Perhaps they bring up a memory or an impression. Let your heart be open to whatever it is that might be the message for you.
Contemplation
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does this reveal anything about God, your relationship with God and your life?
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as you create contemplate the wondrous gifts of Gods creation. Thank God for the gifts he has given you.
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speak to God as you would one friend to another.
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does this lead you into an attitude of prayer?
If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.
Prayer
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Now, offer your prayers to God in a final time of silence.
Visio Davina
- Divine Seeing -
Your own creation
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An Artful Experience
Craft & Activism = Craftivism
Creative Art
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