Visio Divina
A Visio Divina is a method of prayer that uses art to lead you towards God’s presence and movement within. Similar to the practice of Lectio Divina, Visio Divina is a guided, step-by-step process that aids participants in seeing, hearing, and experiencing God.
Become present. Breathe. Close your eyes. Ask for God’s blessing.
Open your eyes and gaze at your selected image. Welcome the image, let your eyes roll over it and take it all in. What strikes you? What does your eye want to drink in? Use a journal to write down your first thoughts. Then rest your eyes for a few minutes and breathe
Open your eyes and observe your piece a second time. Let your eyes lead you. What are you drawn to? What are you starting to uncover? Write about this deeper sense. Close your eyes again and breathe.
Open your eyes and gaze for a final time. Allow Spirit to bring forward a message for you; a word, a phrase, or an emotion. Don’t judge what comes up, just allow. What does this communicate to your life today? Write about this emergence in your journal.
Spend time with God. With all this revealed, leave your heart open to God for just a bit longer. Let God roll around in all that has been exposed. Experience God’s engaged healing response to your heart opening with thankfulness. Take what you have learned into the world.
And that’s it! Like Lectio Divinia, this is a spiritual practice that requires practice. The more often you use Visio Divina the easier it will be to sit longer with a piece of artwork. Give yourself grace and be patient. While we all wish God would speak with immediacy that is not always how God works.
Give Visio Divia a try using this piece by Ivanka Demchuck.
