I have just finished reading Sybil MacBeth’s book Praying in Color: Drawing a New Path to God. Its message really resonated with me, partly I am sure because I am having fun painting on rocks and discovering the joy of play as a focusing point for prayer.
This is a remarkable little book. I would highly recommend for anyone who becomes distracted when they pray, can’t sit still for more than a few minutes, or who finds the use of words alone restricting when they try to draw close to God. Doodling, drawing and colouring are all creative acts that can help us to move beyond multitasking to achieve a laser focus on the people we want to pray for and the God we want to pray to. Giving our creativity free reign like Sybil suggests is a liberating way to enrich our prayer life and strengthen our faith.
I love Sybil’s comment A clipboard turns any place into a prayer corner. It is not where we are that determines the effectiveness of our prayers but our ability to find a quiet place in which we can zero in on what really matters. So get out some paper and coloured markers or pencils and start praying in colour. Follow the simple directions Sybil gives on her website and discover the joy of praying with all your senses.
2 comments
I love this book, and use it in our Prayer, Practice and Presence class. The one specifically for kids is even better than this one.
It really is great isn’t it. I have not read the kid’s one yet but it does not surprise me that it is better – all the most creative stuff around appears to be focused on kids.