For those of you not familiar with the teachings of Greg Boyd, he endorces something called "imaginative prayer." He says the practice is biblical and many of the early church fathers used it. From what I gather, it begins by reading a bible story that stars Jesus. Then you close your eyes and picture yourself in the story, either as a character or just a casual observer. One needs to use all their senses to really wrap themselves in the story as it unfolds. This is what he calls "imaginative prayer." Many Roman Catholics use this method, I'm told.
I've used similar mental exercises with scripture and it really does bring the narratives to life, especially if one has an active imagination. I'm wondering though, if anyone feels this practice is dangerous?
Imaginative Prayer
Imaginative Prayer
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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_STEVE7150
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For those of you not familiar with the teachings of Greg Boyd, he endorces something called "imaginative prayer." He says the practice is biblical and many of the early church fathers used it. From what I gather, it begins by reading a bible story that stars Jesus. Then you close your eyes and picture yourself in the story, either as a character or just a casual observer. One needs to use all their senses to really wrap themselves in the story as it unfolds. This is what he calls "imaginative prayer." Many Roman Catholics use this method, I'm told.
Right, Boyd describes this in a book called "Seeing is believing" and he relives painful memories except he brings Jesus with him to be a kinda big brother to stick up for him and confront the hurtful person in the memory. Boyd calls this process something like redoing or reworking his memory. I think the Christian method is not really to do this but to forgive and let it go and let God heal your wounds but apparently since this also involves Jesus maybe it's worth a try but i'm not sure it's biblical.
Right, Boyd describes this in a book called "Seeing is believing" and he relives painful memories except he brings Jesus with him to be a kinda big brother to stick up for him and confront the hurtful person in the memory. Boyd calls this process something like redoing or reworking his memory. I think the Christian method is not really to do this but to forgive and let it go and let God heal your wounds but apparently since this also involves Jesus maybe it's worth a try but i'm not sure it's biblical.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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It doesn't sound like JC and Steve are talking about the same thing. I just ordered the book (for $2.85 used. Pretty cool, huh?) and I'm anxious to see what he, Greg Boyd, teaches.
I heard him mention in a sermon recently how he imagines God in situations where he has experienced hurt and pain. It didn't sound as "new-age" when he described it as it did when I originally heard about it.
....OK, something really strange just happened. I was listening to a podcast while I was typing this (The God Journey) and suddenly they were talking about the imagining bible stories thing. I was typing: "what's the point?," as the guy on the podcast said that the stories become more like memories than dry words on a page, therefore more real to you. That's good, I guess. I'm more anxious to read the book now.
I heard him mention in a sermon recently how he imagines God in situations where he has experienced hurt and pain. It didn't sound as "new-age" when he described it as it did when I originally heard about it.
....OK, something really strange just happened. I was listening to a podcast while I was typing this (The God Journey) and suddenly they were talking about the imagining bible stories thing. I was typing: "what's the point?," as the guy on the podcast said that the stories become more like memories than dry words on a page, therefore more real to you. That's good, I guess. I'm more anxious to read the book now.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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Greg advocates a whole host of mental exericies... be it with prayer, meditating on scripture, or fighting temptation. I don't subscribe to his open-theology but much of what he says is interesting and useful. I've heard him say that temptations are simply movies that are playing in your head, but those movies don't match reality. To resist the temptation, one needs to change the mental movie to show reality the way it really is. Steve Gregg has made similar statements, though I don't recall him ever suggesting that someone ought to perform a mental exercise.
In studying scripture, I sometimes put myself into the story and just observe... hearing, seeing and smelling what's going on around me. It takes bible stories we're a bit too familiar with and shoots them through with life. Imaginative prayer is similar, except you ask Christ to speak to you through the exercise.
In studying scripture, I sometimes put myself into the story and just observe... hearing, seeing and smelling what's going on around me. It takes bible stories we're a bit too familiar with and shoots them through with life. Imaginative prayer is similar, except you ask Christ to speak to you through the exercise.
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I hope you didn't tell me everything; I'd hate to think I wasted $2.85.
Have you tried the technique? Frankly, every story I read I put myself into. Reading fiction is a real experience for me. Same for the gospels, and even acts and the old testament stories. I haven't thought of that as a prayer technique however.
Have you tried the technique? Frankly, every story I read I put myself into. Reading fiction is a real experience for me. Same for the gospels, and even acts and the old testament stories. I haven't thought of that as a prayer technique however.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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what Boyd describes seems less like prayer and more like "guided imagery."
when i read the Word, i also like to think about what it was like to have been there, etc etc. but in prayer, i have always thought of this as conversation with God, telling him my concerns, etc.
what concerns me a tad about Boyd's method is that it smacks of "spirit guides" or at least the opening up of oneself to this sort of thing (counterfeit).
maybe i am just paranoid.
TK
what Boyd describes seems less like prayer and more like "guided imagery."
when i read the Word, i also like to think about what it was like to have been there, etc etc. but in prayer, i have always thought of this as conversation with God, telling him my concerns, etc.
what concerns me a tad about Boyd's method is that it smacks of "spirit guides" or at least the opening up of oneself to this sort of thing (counterfeit).
maybe i am just paranoid.
TK
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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"Were not our hearts burning within us? (Lk 24:32)
Michelle, I haven't read the book actually. I've listened to a number of his sermons and read articles written by him. If it wasn't Greg Boyd, I wouldn't buy into any of this. It looks like new age mumbo jumbo. But Greg is a respected theologian and philosopher who isn't interested in promoting new age ideas in the least. To answer your question, I have not used the imaginative method with prayer, only in meditating on scripture.
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I use deep breathing and imagery for chronic pain.
It is called cognative therapy in the world....I use it for relaxation
for chronic pain and can meditate on God's word as quiet meditation.
( David meditated) on God's word....
I have been blessed by it.
It is called cognative therapy in the world....I use it for relaxation
for chronic pain and can meditate on God's word as quiet meditation.
( David meditated) on God's word....
I have been blessed by it.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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I finally finished the book. It was pretty good; I like Gregory Boyd as an author. I had a little trouble connecting to the concept, however, first of all because I didn't have a traumatic childhood like the examples in the book, and secondly because praying and knowing I'm talking to God isn't hard for me.
He addresses concerns about counterfeits. He makes the point that just because the enemy counterfeits something that God does, we shouldn't dismiss the work of the Holy Spirit.
MLH, I'm still praying for you!
He addresses concerns about counterfeits. He makes the point that just because the enemy counterfeits something that God does, we shouldn't dismiss the work of the Holy Spirit.
MLH, I'm still praying for you!
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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I don't recall ever really thinking about it till now but sometimes when I pray I kind of "envision" something like the end of the universe and see a throne with Someone on it....to His left is nothing but a vast circle of blinding Light....that gives me a really warm feeling inside.
(These kinds of things are so difficult to describe).
I don't make any effort to "see" this...it just happens sometimes. How often, I don't know. 'Just never thought about it.
Occasionally I imagine the "Footsteps in the Sand" motif...like when I have to throw salt on sidewalks in the snow & ice (Footsteps in the Snow)....
Interesting thread. (Praise God)
Rick
P.S. Michelle
My new job is going real well......thanx for your prayers!
(These kinds of things are so difficult to describe).
I don't make any effort to "see" this...it just happens sometimes. How often, I don't know. 'Just never thought about it.
Occasionally I imagine the "Footsteps in the Sand" motif...like when I have to throw salt on sidewalks in the snow & ice (Footsteps in the Snow)....
Interesting thread. (Praise God)
Rick
P.S. Michelle
My new job is going real well......thanx for your prayers!
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
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“In Jesus Christ God ordained life for man, but death for himself” -- Karl Barth