“He has filled them with skill to do every kind of work done by an artisan or by a designer or by an embroiderer in blue, purple, and crimson yarns, and in fine linen, or by a weaver—by any sort of artisan or skilled designer.” – Exodus 35:35
AIM:
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To introduce Art as an Ignatian method of prayer which touches our lives through a reflective processing of our spontaneous actions and feelings.
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Finding God in all things including Art.
OUR INTENTIONS:
For us to become aware of:
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the importance of art and imagination to life in general
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the use of art in daily life and the evoked feelings and the connections between the art and life
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the importance of paying attention to feelings.
PROGRAMME:
Welcome and Stilling
Pray with Art – introduction
Praying with Art
Break
Sharing Groups
Closure
Link: Music: A song for Reflection: Everyday God, Bernadette Farrell
As you work through points 1-3 of the Examen, have your journal at hand and some coloured pencils.
As you reflect on your day use whatever colours, lines and shapes and images come to you, don`t judge your artwork. like your journal, this is your space.
- Become aware of God’s presence. Look back on the events of the day in the company of the Holy Spirit. The day may seem confusing to you—a blur, a jumble, a muddle.
Ask God to bring clarity and understanding. - Review the day with gratitude. Gratitude is the foundation of our relationship with God. Walk through your day in the presence of God and note its joys and delights. Focus on the day’s gifts. Look at the work you did, the people you interacted with. What did you receive from these people? What did you give them? Pay attention to small things—the food you ate, the sights you saw, and other seemingly small pleasures. God is in the details.
- Pay attention to your emotions. One of St. Ignatius’s great insights was that we detect the presence of the Spirit of God in the movements of our emotions. Reflect on the feelings you experienced during the day. Energy? Joy? Love? Peace? Boredom? Elation? Resentment? Compassion? Anger? Confidence? What is God saying through these feelings?
- Converse with God. Looking at your journal and what you have created, what do you notice? What does your eye fall on? Take time to speak to God about your art work.
- Look toward tomorrow. Ask God to give you light for tomorrow’s challenges. Pay attention to the feelings that surface as you survey what’s coming up. Are you doubtful? Cheerful? Apprehensive? Full of delighted anticipation? Allow these feelings to turn into prayer. Seek God’s guidance. Ask for help and understanding. Pray for hope.
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Settle down quietly into a comfortable yet attentive position. Wherever you are, you are in the presence of God, acknowledge this.
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Choose a picture.
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Stay with the picture in silence, aware of God’s presence with you as you pray.
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Allow the picture to ‘speak’ to you.
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What do you see there?
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How do you feel as you look at it?
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What feelings are conveyed in the picture?
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What sense of God is there?
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What else does the picture reveal to you?
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Finish with a formal prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father
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The pictures here are two different images of “Doubting Thomas”.
EVERYDAY GOD – BERNADETTE FARRELL
Earth’s creator, Everyday God,
Loving Maker, O Jesus,
You who shaped us, O Spirit,
Recreate us, Come, be with us.
In your presence, Everyday God,
We are gathered, O Jesus,
You have called us, O Spirit,
To restore us, Come, be with us.
Life of all lives, Everyday God,
Love of all loves, O Jesus,
Hope of all hopes, O Spirit,
Light of all lights, Come, be with us.
In our resting, Everyday God,
In our rising, O Jesus,
In our hoping, O Spirit,
In our waiting, Come, be with us.
In our dreaming, Everyday God,
In our daring, O Jesus,
In our searching, O Spirit,
In our sharing, Come, be with us.
God of laughter, Everyday God,
God of sorrow, O Jesus,
Home and shelter, O Spirit,
Strong and patient, Come, be with us.
Way of freedom, Everyday God,
Star of morning, O Jesus,
Timeless healer, O Spirit,
Flame eternal, Come, be with us
Word of gladness, Everyday God,
Word of mercy, O Jesus,
Word of friendship, O Spirit,
Word of challenge, Come, be with us.
Gentle father, Everyday God,
Faithful brother, O Jesus,
Tender sister, O Spirit.
Loving mother, Come, be with us.
Our beginning, Everyday God,
Our unfolding, O Jesus,
Our enduring, O Spirit,
Journey’s ending, Come, be with us.
Alleluia, Everyday God, Now and always, O Jesus,
Alleluia, O Spirit, Through all ages, Come, be with us
- Finish your masterpiece and prayer with this. Also, if you feel drawn to it, use any other of the suggested art forms.
- Pray with your favourite picture, painting, art object using the guidelines in C above “ Praying with Pictures”.
- Re-read your journal. What stands out for you? What does it say to you?