Imaginative Prayer
or
Ignation Contemplation
This
is another kind of meditation that uses the power of imagination.
In some ways it is like daydreaming. The key is to get
started in an imaginary encounter with Jesus and let things
develop spontaneously.
The process here is simply to enter imaginatively into
some scene from Scripture and then "do what comes
naturally." Look at who is there. Hear what they
say. Observe what they do. Enter into the action. Be yourself.
Respond to Jesus, or to anyone else, as you feel moved.
Say and do whatever comes spontaneously. This form of
prayer has something in common with daydreaming, role-playing
and psycho-drama: it consists in getting involved imaginatively
in a situation with Jesus, then seeing what spontaneously
develops. Reflect on what you see and do. See what significance
it has for you.
Preamble:
a) Pause for a moment; clear your mind; recall that you
are in the presence of God. Make a physical act of reverence
(for example: bow, touch your heart).
b) Ask God to direct all your thoughts, desires and choices.
c) Read the passage you are going to meditate on.
d) In your imagination put yourself on the scene. You
can take the role of one of the people involved, be a
bystander, or just be yourself. For example, in the story
of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12) you can be one of the wise
men and go through the experience of responding to the
star with them. Or in the story of the wedding feast of
Cana (John 2:1 - 12) you can be the host who didn't have
enough wine. In the story of the Call of Simon (Luke 5:
1 - 11) you can be one of the fishermen on a different
boat that didn't catch anything that night. In the story
of the Healing of a Deaf Man (Mark 7: 31 - 37) you can
be someone in the crowd who is too afraid to ask Jesus
for healing.
e) Ask Jesus to give you the specific grace you are asking
for in this meditation
Steps: (You will probably do this naturally. We only separate
the steps to help you get back on track if you become
distracted or stalled).
1. Look at the persons on the scene. For example, see
the Magi, the expressions on their faces, where they are,
what is around them. Look at the star with them.
2. Listen to what they are saying (and thinking!). For
example, imagine the discussion the Magi are having about
the star. Listen to them explaining to their wives the
trip they are about to make.
3. See what they do. For example, imagine the Magi making
their decision, praying, packing the camels. Try to sense
their feelings.
Conclusion. Talk to God in your own words about what you
have seen and want to do. Ask help. End with an Our Father,
Hail Mary, or some other prayer. Then make the Review
of Meditation.
