"Praying for others is called intercessory prayer. When we 'intercede' we ask God to be involved in the lives of the people we are praying for — for healing, for safety, for a change of direction, for support. . . . The words for these prayers are not always easy to find. When this frustrates you, create a prayer drawing instead. This is a way you can spend time with the people you want to pray for and offer them into God's care.
• "Mark the start of your prayer time by taking a deep breath and releasing it. Inhale and exhale with equal strength.
• "Begin at the top or in the middle of the page. . . . Ask God to be present as you pray. Use words or just the strokes and movements of your pen.
• "When you come to a stop, take a deep breath and release a deep exhale.
• "Say a line from Scripture like:
" 'You strengthen me more and more; you enfold and comfort me.' Psalm 71:21 (BCP) or 'Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield.' Psalm 33:20 (NRSV)
• "Whenever you're ready, move to a different place on the page. Draw a new shape or design. Write the name of a person for whom you want to pray in or near the design. Focus your attention on the name of the person. Keep your hand moving by adding lines, dots, arcs, shapes. . . . Release the person into God's care. Don't fight for words.
• "When you complete the drawing for this person, take a deep breath and release it.
• "Say the line of Scripture you chose before. Repeat this each time you finish praying for a person. The breath and the words of Scripture are a way to release any concern and worry you still have. They also create a space between the person you just prayed for and the next person you add to the page.
• "Pray for another person. Find a space and shape for their name. Repeat the process of drawing and praying. Add details with your pen.
• "Draw a prayer for everyone on your list. Besides people, you can pray for your city, your country, and any issue of concern to you.
• "If words come to you, pray them. Feel free to write them on the drawing.
• "If recurring distractions interrupt while you are praying, create a box for them on the bottom of the page. Write yourself a note so you can let go of the distraction and continue to pray. Or if a distraction feels urgent, make it part of your prayer. When you finish praying and drawing, sit with the page in front of you. Let the names and images soak into your mind. Spend another moment with each person in silence or say a simple prayer or 'Amen.'
"Place the drawing where you can see it during the day — perhaps on the refrigerator or in your car. When you notice it again or when the image pops into your head, offer a quick prayer.
• "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."
