Immerse yourself in
Scripture
Encounter. Imagine. Discuss. Contemplate.
What is Imaginative Prayer?
(and why you should use it in your classroom!)
Imaginative prayer is an approach to reading the Scriptures made famous by St Ignatius of Loyola. It involves becoming familiar with a biblical passage before using your imagination to immerse yourself in the text.
The practice involves stilling the mind and body and resting in God's Word. Then, by trusting in the Holy Spirit as your guide, allowing the scene to come alive in your imagination, drawing upon all five senses.
Within a classroom, Imaginative Prayer takes the form of a guided meditation, a circle time discussion, and time spent in silent contemplation. The skills developed in learning this practice can ignite a lifelong connection with the Word of God.
This approach to reading Scripture can support both teachers and students to deepen their understanding of the Bible, whilst also strengthening their relationship with God.
The four phases of Imaginative Prayer
Encounter
Encounter the Word of God by reading the text slowly and begin to imagine the event taking place.
Imagine
Be led through a guided scriptural meditation, using all 5 senses to fully immerse yourself within the biblical text.
Discuss
Spend time reflecting on the passage with peers as you respond to a series of questions about your imaginative experience.
Contemplate
Spend time alone with God, responding to the Word in a way that seems right to you-it might be through art or story telling.
