Praying Through Art

You hear “the news” from a friend: cancer, divorce, loss of a loved one. You talk with them for awhile, give them a hug, and tell them you’ll pray for them.

And then you get home and you try to pray… but you have no words. What do you say? What do you ask God for? Perhaps, like me, you find yourself just sitting there in the silence, a little broken, yourself, over the news they shared.

Let me assure you, it’s okay. It’s okay to sit in the silence and just hold your friend before God. 

There are many times I do just that. Yet I also found another way that I could lift them up…

Wordless Prayers

A couple of years ago, I rediscovered my love for art. I found that it provided a way for me to pray without necessarily using words. Much like walking as you pray, or gardening. It provided something for me to do with my hands and body so that I could be more freely in a spirit of prayer.

If my heart was heavy for a friend going through a difficult time, I could sit at my crafting table and make a card or mixed media piece, all the while just lifting them up before God. No words necessary. Just keeping them in the forefront of my mind, in the forefront of my heart, and holding them before Jesus. Relying on the truth that the Holy Spirit is praying and interceding for us, and trusting Him to say the words and “groan the groans” that I couldn’t (see Romans 8:26-27).

I didn’t rush. How could you rush something like that? I just sat in His presence and thought about my friend. And I stayed there until I felt His peace.

And whether you are “crafty” or “artsy” or not, I think using art is a helpful way to pray when you don’t know what to say.

The Art of Faith

So when I found out about a class called The Art of Faith, I was in. I’m always on the lookout for ways to learn more about the Bible and art and coming alongside others. 

The Art of Faith is a 4-week class taught by Brianna from Painted Prayers. While I have been using art to pray for others, she taught me how to use art as a way to pray through what is going on in ourselves. 

More about The Art of Faith class:

• Self-paced, online video course
• 5 Sessions per week, including a Bible Journaling session and a Painting session each week
• You don’t have to be an “artist”
• Simple art supplies you can find pretty easily

I’ve been working my way through it (SO glad it is self-paced!) and have just three more sessions to go. I will be sharing more about my experience and project soon.

Photo from Painted Prayers website.

They are currently offering The Art of Faith course free of charge, though they certainly welcome donations to help cover their costs. If you sense God inviting you to explore art as a spiritual practice, I highly encourage you to try this!

Learn more about Painted Prayers and The Art of Faith course. (This is not an affiliate link. I just think it’s a great program!)

I am so grateful for the teaching and encouragement I’ve received from Brianna throughout this process. She inspires me to keep reaching out to others through the gifts and talents God has given me.

What about you? How can you reach out to someone this week through prayer or an encouraging act?