Paper and Colored Pencils

I love to try new things. Crafts. Foods. Experiences. It doesn’t matter what it is, if it catches my attention, I want to do it or make it. I think that’s why I love Pinterest so much.

 

I also love to try new things when it comes to Bible study or prayer time. Recently, I heard of a book called “Praying in Color” by Sybil MacBeth. While I haven’t read the book, I’ve read about it and how others have used this concept in prayer time.

 

I threw this concept on the poor ladies in my Wednesday night Bible study group last night. I brought a little sheet with four objects and words attached. I gave them colored pencils and we spent seven minutes in quiet prayer time. To be honest, the time flew by.

 

The idea is to “doodle” as you pray. It helps to keep our minds focused on what we’re praying about. Some people use a different color for specific people and so when the color is seen throughout the day you’re reminded to pray for that person. Some use this concept to praise God through the colors He created. Some just doodle because it helps them stay connected to God during prayer time.

 

One of my favorite examples of this type of praying was an Advent calendar. Each day a passage of Scripture is given and the doodling begins when prayers are lifted. What an exciting way to anticipate the giving of our beloved Savior!

 

I’m certain that not every woman in the room felt drawn to this type of prayer time, but some were. And if they spend just a little more time with God through this method of prayer, then it was worth the share.

 

Sometimes we do get into a rut and do the same things over and over. Our prayer time isn’t as exciting as it should be. Our Bible reading isn’t filled with the joy it should have. So, yes, I believe there are times in our lives that we must shake it up. Try something new. Experience God’s majesty in a different way.

 

Doodle PageSo today, I offer you the same sheet I gave to the ladies last night. In the first object, you’ll notice arrows reaching up and out with the words “know Jesus and love like Him.” In this object, draw or write words that lead you to a closer relationship with Jesus and also to those around us. Building relationships is the focus of this object.

 

The second object is a thought cloud. What are God’s thoughts that He would like you to know? What have you studied this week from God’s Word that needs to be meditated upon?

 

The third object is a sunburst. The Bible study I am currently leading is “Pray with Purpose, Live with Passion” by Debbie Miller. In this book she offers a characteristic or title of God and how we can pray using these words based on the letters of the alphabet. Each chapter begins with, “Lord, You are…” So around this starburst, we used words like Almighty, Beloved Son, Comforter, Door, Eternal, Faithful, Guardian of my Soul, Holy and Immanuel. Any words you feel appropriate will also fit in those starbursts.

 

And finally the fourth object was a scroll with the words, “What I need to learn this week…” Obviously, God doesn’t want us to just study His Word. He wants it to transform us. So this is the application portion of the prayer experience. What do I need to do this week to become more like Jesus?

 

There is no Scriptural basis for this type of prayer. It was just a fun exercise that leads us to a greater, deeper desire to be with God. That’s really what it’s all about.

 

Perhaps you feel that your prayer time is a little stale. If so, maybe this is a way to brighten it up. Freshen it up a bit. Draw you closer to God. I pray that it will.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

 

Donna

 

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