Doodling can be a prayer practice. I often doodle to help focus my wandering thoughts in a long meeting, boring lecture, or unorganized presentation. In doing so I find that my doodles (usually shapes made of criss-crossed lines) help center, focus and channel my thoughts. Ironically through my doodling I’m more present in the space and activity that I feel like leaving.
Doodling prayers is the same idea – using something that we do, a movement associated with our body, touching another element – paper – to help focus our intention and attention on that which we cannot see. Sybil MacBeth, in her book Praying in Color, explains this idea and presents concrete ways to use doodling, what is often seen as “bad,” as a way to help us pray and be mindful of God’s intent, our prayers for others, and even what is going on around us. Here’s an example of a way to doodle your prayers for others.
Instructions:
Invite God into your heart and mind as you begin to settle down. When someone or something comes to mind that needs prayer pick up a black marker and begin.
Draw a shape and write the name of the person (or a one word description of a situation) inside the shape.
Next, slowly add detail, doodles, and shapes. Do not analyze. Just draw what feels right for that person or situation. Sometimes the shape looks like something recognizable, sometimes it doesn’t.
At some point your mind may wander, just return to the prayer by repeating that person’s name to yourself. At the same time, be open to the quiet nudging of God’s Spirit, leading you in prayer as well.
Add color to the doodle, filling things in, making patterns, etc. Again, do not over analyze.
When you are finished, say amen, or start over again with a new person or situation.
If you’re intrigued by this idea of prayer take a look at Sybil MacBether’s site for more ideas online at www.prayingincolor.com