Visual Prayer: On Mutual Respect
A Visio Divina Meditation on Galatians 6
Today’s visual prayer includes a photograph I made circa 2005 in or around Turkey while on a trip exploring the missionary journeys of Paul (from the Bible). This passage was one I was required to memorize in high school my senior year. It’s always stuck with me. Given recent events, it' curiously keeps coming to mind now. It feels like a timely reminder.
Feel free to use the audio recording above and stay with the photo at the top of this post as I lead you through the prayer. Or, print out the text and image for use off line.
Peace to you as you sit with God today.
Find a calm, quiet spot where you can pray through this piece today. Make sure you have something to journal with towards the end. Now, take a few deep breaths — full inhale, full exhale.
Sit for 1-2 minutes with the photograph. Notice the simple elements of the photo: patterns, color, line, textures. Then move to noticing the content of the image.
Read the passage slowly, noticing its simple meaning. What story is revealing?
Galatians 6:1-5 (MSG)
Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
As you stay with the photograph, ask Jesus to help you explore this question: How am I being invited to share my neighbor’s burdens? Perhaps you hear this question and you find yourself asking Jesus, “Who’s sharing my burdens?”
Return now to the question and notice what feelings are coming up: frustration, relief, fear, or peace? Or, maybe what’s coming to mind is a relationship, situation in your life, or even memory. Note: Jesus may lead you to any place of your life or heart, big or small, so don’t disregard what comes up now especially if it initially feels irrelevant or insignificant.
Now, turn to your journal and record everything that’s come up so far: feelings, questions, circumstances. Record quickly in short phrases.
Next, respond to what’s come up for you today. You can write a letter to Jesus in your journal, draw out a visual for how you’re feeling, or simply pray quietly. Be as honest in your response as you’re able. Take as much time as you need to pour out your heart to God.
Conclude this prayer time by returning to your breath. Perhaps ending with a breath prayer like: “Jesus, help me,” or even simply, “thank you.”
Thank you for joining me today for this prayer. I hope it was helpful for you. If it was, feel free to leave a comment with one thing that you enjoyed, or that surprised you today. I’d love to hear!