People come up with lots of excuses for why they don't pray. Sybil MacBeth, the author of the bestseller Praying in Color and her husband Andy, an Episcopal priest and educator, begin this dandy little book with a list of some of these universal complaints about prayer including:
I feel stupid.
I don't know what to say.
I don't feel comfortable speaking to a Divine Being I can't see.
It is a boring practice that doesn't accomplish anything.
On the other team are supporters of prayer who see it as a way of connecting with God, a fitting vehicle for expressing our gratitude to the Creator, an indication of our concern for the world, and a means of communing with the Holy One. The MacBeths share what they bring to the table of prayer and then point out that the Bible does not provide a complete instruction book for this spiritual practice.
So if you are looking for a new experience of prayer, you can join the authors in doodling, which they see as a means of devotion, playfulness, and fun for those who believe that words can't accomplish everything. Although the book is billed as "a hands-on practice for men," women will enjoy it as well. The MacBeths outline doodle exercises in black and white using the names of God, doing intercessory prayer, praying Lectio Divina, and praying with others. They state:
"Remember, praying in black and white is not about creating great art. It's about praying in a way that relies less on words and spending time with God in an active, visual way. It's about praying even when you have nothing to say."
Try doddling as a path to being creative in your expression of gratitude and wonder and much more!
