Imagery Journaling Prayer prompt
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
Romans 8:26 (esv)
The idea for these prompts is to simply speak with your savior, your creator, Jesus.
I hope that this is a creative, fun way to get the conversation going.
(Philippians 4:6-7)
Grab a pen and paper, find a quiet place, and see how Jesus uses your imagination . . .
Where are you?
Are you outside? In the middle of the trees in the forest? Are you on a busy street in New York? Are you watching the sunset eek orange and pink from the atmosphere across the Pacific Ocean?
What is the weather doing? What do you see, feel, hear? What are you hoping will happen next? Describe and write freely.
What are you doing?
Are you running, or standing still? Are you working up the courage to move? Are you hugging your arms around yourself, doing your best to block out the cold wind, closing your eyes against an intrusive thought, hesitant to engage with what’s in front of you?
(What does it feel like? Emotionally, physically. What things in the scene are moving around you? Be free to use any words that come to mind. Don’t stop describing things until you are ready to move on.)
Where is Jesus?
Is Jesus right there in front of you, standing, beckoning? Is he waving to you across the street, or is he whispering to you in the back of your mind? Where is he, what is he doing, is he moving around? Is he holding your hand, or calling you to action?
Take a moment to actually ask him where he is in the scene and run with the idea. You can always change it later. Just be free to write anything and see what happens.
Be honest with him. Tell him your thoughts and feelings about the image forming on the page.
(Feel very free to wait and be patient, or to let your thoughts spill onto the page. Tell Jesus all about how you feel about his presence in the scene and where you think he is.)
Ask Jesus to show you the point of this scene
There must be a reason you have found yourself where you are, doing what you are doing. It’s very interesting that you’ve written what you have.
You don’t have to know the reason right now.
This scene and image in your head is part of a conversation with the Lord.
Has this just been an exercise, or is God trying to show you something? Don’t rush to a conclusion, but seek God’s voice. His voice is powerful, necessary, and wonderful!
Do you feel a theme arising, a climax in the essence of the atmosphere of your scene?
Ultimately, do you feel convicted in some way? How does that show in your body language, or the imagery of the scene? What is the weather doing?
How does the scene end? Is there more action coming? Where is Jesus now?
Spend some quiet time listening for the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the meaning of your journaling. Don’t be in a rush. He will speak to you in his timing. Today, tomorrow, or who knows. Ask him what parts of the Bible this scene relates to. And write down any other thoughts you have about how God is speaking to you.
I would absolutely love to read your scene. Please feel free to email me about your writing and how God is speaking to you through it! I would be so happy to hear about it :)