Becoming One with God
Prayer - Visualization
When we think of prayer as a form of communication between people and God, the most traditional form is using words. We pray to God verbally with words, mostly through spoken sounds. We record our prayers in written text, such as journaling. But did you know that you can also communicate with God using images? You can first create in your mind an image of what you are praying for, then describe this image to God in your prayer.
How to Visualize in Prayer
This practice is best explained using examples. Let’s say that you are praying to God for more patience. You use spoken words to ask God to help you to be patient, and perhaps even very specifically with certain individuals or in certain situations. With visualization prayer, you first create an image of what being patient may look like. You see yourself in a situation where you are patient and at ease. Like watching a movie, you can hear yourself speaking kindly and calmly, and you can see your body movement as you are breathing slowly. Then you zoom in on the camera and see your facial expression. You see a gentle smile and a spirit of peace and gentleness. If there is a situation where your patience may be challenged, you can visualize this specific scenario and describe how you see the event unfolding. Examples can be a meeting with a colleague, a phone call with a parent, or a lunch conversation with a friend. Instead of praying with words like, God, please help so and so not to be critical or get angry quickly, you can use images in your prayer by seeing their attitude and behaviors. In the scene, you see their posture and facial expression, you see them listening attentively, or asking questions patiently, or trying to hold back critical comments. Perhaps you may even notice their anxiety or uncertainty, because they, too, have things on their mind that they want you to hear and understand.
When you practice visualization prayer, you can sometimes hear God’s prompting. As you describe your mental picture to God, he may reveal an insight or a solution while you are still praying. Be sure to follow up on these insights.
Biblical Examples of using imagery to communicate
God promised Abraham that his descendants would become a nation. But when Abraham doubted, as his wife Sarah could not conceive, God took him outside and asked him to look up. Then God told him that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars. (Genesis 15:5) The visual aid helped Abraham comprehend something he simply could not grasp in his current state of mind.
Likewise, visualization prayer helps our mind to see the future God promises us. God promises his people a life of prosperity and protection, as long as we obey him (Deuteronomy 30). He also promises to give us the Holy Spirit that will produce fruits of peace, love, joy, patience, and kindness in our lives (Galatians 5: 22). Visualization helps us to believe and to claim these promises, as we learn to trust and obey.
Prayer - Affirmation
When Jesus teaches us to pray for God to ‘give us this day our daily bread’ – he is teaching us to live in the present. Very often our minds are so preoccupied by the regret of yesterday and worries of tomorrow that we miss the opportunity to live today. In Matthew 6, Jesus specifically instructs us not to worry about tomorrow, but to focus on living today. God promises to take care of our needs when we put him first.
In the Affirmation prayer, we invite God to be part of our past, present, and future. We let go of our past - both regrets and glories, give thanks for our present, and claim God’s promises for the future. Practice affirmation prayer in the evening as you lie to sleep.
Put a Closure to Today’s Events
Do a quick review of what happened today. Thank God for all the good things that happened and acknowledge things that didn’t go well. You can simply state the events as you see them, without elaborating on the desires or attempts to fix them. The day is finished, you cannot change anything that happened. You can now ‘close’ the day like closing a book that records today's events.
Being Grateful in the presence
Thank God for what you are grateful for. Here are examples of things you can be thankful for:
For God and all the wonderful things he created: the nature, the air we breathe, etc., and for the marvelous deeds he has done.
For the gift of your life – for all the wonderful qualities he’s given you and all the blessings in your life (material things as well as friendships and spiritual well-being)
For others. You can offer thanksgiving for those you love and those who are difficult. Thank God for who they are and for the blessings they are to you. This can be individuals, a community, or a nation.
Positive Affirmation for Tomorrow
Prepare your mind for tomorrow’s activities by speaking out what you look forward to being and/or doing tomorrow. Invite God to your new day and claim his promises to be with you and to guide you. If you are uncertain, simply acknowledge that.
