C21 Prayer Resource - Praying with Images

BOSTON COLLEGE | THE CHURCH IN THE 21ST CENTURY CENTER

ARTICLE 4

PRAYING WITH IMAGES

by Colleen M. Griffith

A picture is worth a thousand words.” So the saying goes, and historical Christians were quick to grasp this. They recognized the formative power of visual images, particularly the way that images gathered the energy and affect of worshippers, stimulating their desire to deepen in a Christian way of life.

Twenty-first century Christians have less experience utilizing visual images as a spiritual resource. It’s not that we are image starved. We’re barraged by massive doses of media images and we’ve grown accustomed to this. Press photographs and advertising images surround us on a daily basis, orienting us FAITH FEEDS PRAYER RESOURCES - PRAYING WITH IMAGES | 1

BOSTON COLLEGE | THE CHURCH IN THE 21ST CENTURY CENTER

PRAYING WITH VISUAL IMAGES How does one utilize visual images in prayer? To begin, choose an image with which to spend time, preferably one with strong expressive power to which you can respond effectively. Second, do your best to avoid any premature fixing of interpretation of your image. Instead, contemplate it with a spirit of openness and expectancy. Third, notice the memories, associations, and longings to which your image gives rise. In doing so, allow the effective dimensions of IMAGE AS SPIRITUAL RESOURCE Visual images are evocative because with directness your image full sway. Pray then out of the full engageand brevity, they “speak” volumes in their expres- ment of your senses and the feelings evoked by your siveness. Images appeal to emotions and exert influ- image. ence on the viewer. The prayerful contemplation of a religious image can mediate a rich encounter with We can’t expect visual images to clarify points or God. In beholding an image over time, we come into supply us with decisions; they won’t. We can, howa new sense of perspective and catch sight of fresh ever, expect that having a regular practice of praying points of direction. Visual images give us powerful with visual images will form and inform our discipleaccess to feelings that operate below the surface and ship, training our religious affections. Latino/a Catholic communities have taken a strong lead in undercan become the stuff of prayer.

Images that carry spiritual meaning do not all fall scoring the material mediation of the sacred in visual under the heading “religious art,” understood in a terms and demonstrating how in parish and home traditional sense. Iconic art, representational imag- settings, religious images can play a crucial role. It is es, impressionistic works, and non-representational time now for all of us to reclaim the historic Christian abstract works have all proven formative in orient- understanding of the spiritually formative function of ing persons’ spiritual lives. What matters most, it images. By developing a repertoire of images with seems, is choosing an image that attracts and invites which we can pray, images that nurture our spirits and beckon us to live more authentic lives, we, in contemplation. a consumerist media-driven culture, catch sight of an alternative to the uncritical acceptance of all that passes in front ofour eyes.

to events of our world and forming our attitudes and desires at conscious and unconscious levels. But are our spiritual selves formed by these images? What critical and faith perspectives are we bringing to the media images to which we’ve become habituated?

And what visual images are we intentionally choosing to contemplate precisely for their formative influence on our lives of faith?

By Karen Kiefer

Colleen M. Griffith, ThD, Faculty Director of Spirituality Studies, IREPM Department, Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.

This article can also be found in Catholic Spiritual Practices: A Treasury of Old and New, Paraclete Press, 2012.

FAITH FEEDS PRAYER RESOURCES - PRAYING WITH IMAGES | 2

BOSTON COLLEGE | THE CHURCH IN THE 21ST CENTURY CENTER

PRAYING WITH IMAGES “Icons speak to us of reality transformed and transfigured, both in and through God’s presence. They speak of transcendence and mystery.”

—Peter Pearson, A Brush with God: An Icon Workbook Summary

In the midst of an world full of images and advertisements, Colleen Griffith invites us to consider the intentional use of images as a tool for prayer. Through the experience of “beholding” an image over time, Griffith suggests that quiet time with an image allows it to “speak volumes” to us about our ongoing formation in the life of faith. Over time, such a practice can provide us grounding in a consumerist, image-laden world.

Questions for Conversation

1. W hat images have been important to you throughout your life?

What did they communicate to you? Were you aware of this commuication in the moment?

2. Have you considered images as a useful way to enter into prayer before? How has this article changed your perception of, or introduced you to, t he concept of praying with images?

3. Are you interested in praying with images at this time? What images might you use to facilitate a deeper life of prayer, even in our era of sounds, images, and distractions?

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