Thursday, October 2, 2008

a different way to pray

prayer wheel


a few years ago, a wise woman gave me good counsel as i walked through a difficult time and found it hard to pray.
"have you ever thought of praying through your mandalas?"
that was a new thought for me. i've never been comfortable praying aloud, especially extemporaneously...rather, i have found more solace in the written prayers of others. but yet, i still yearned for a way of my own - something authentic and true to who i am - to pray about the things weighing heavy on my heart - situations - friends - loved ones in need of help or guidance.
was it really possible to pray through my art? to my great relief and delight, i discovered that the answer to that question is a resounding - YES! since that day, whole new pathways of prayer have opened up before me as i draw and paint. i am thankful for this "different way"...my way...to pray.

2 comments:

Doe Grozs Art said...

And a most beautiful prayer it is.
I understand this feeling. The closest I come to a true way of praying for me, is doing my art and being in nature.
It's probably more of a way to listen for an answer to my prayer. Amen :-)
Doreen

Beverly Keaton Smith said...

Nice post Stacy...I think I drop into prayer through movement, whether it be to music or simply walking in my neighborhood.