Art and Prayer

Prayer is natural for human beings, a spontaneous impulse common in all people. Yet, beyond instinct, there is a kind of prayer that's conscious and articulate, that we have to be taught. There is an "art of prayer," when faith and prayer become creative responses by which creatures made in the image and likeness of the Creator relate to him with help of the imagination. Timothy Verdon explores these essential interactions in this magnificent book. Richly illustrated, Monsignor Verdon explains that images work in believers as tools that teach them how to turn to God. Art and Prayer explores these interactions in detail, demonstrating that prayer can become a fruit of the sanctified imagination - a way of beauty and turning to God.

"It is hard not to say `I told you so.' The first time I read Juliet Benner's `Oh Taste & See' column for Conversations journal I knew she had a rare gift for seeing---what others may miss---and describing---in a way that touches the soul---and I was pretty sure a wonderful book would follow. Here it is!" Gary W. Moon, executive editor of Conversations Juliet Benner was trained as a visual artist, so when she became a spiritual director, she found it natural to begin showing people how to meditate on Christian art treasures that are rooted in a passage of Scripture. She taught a way of encountering the Word behind both the words of Scripture and the artist's meditation on Scripture. This became a way of seeing art as an aid to contemplative prayer. In each chapter of this book you'll encounter a passage of Scripture and a corresponding piece of art. You'll be guided into deeper levels of meaning and reflection through the text and the questions at the end of each chapter. In the process you'll find yourself entering into a new experience of prayer and meditation in God's presence. "This is a beautiful and inspiring work that will help you reflect and respond to God not just with your mind but also with your heart and soul." Ruth Haley Barton, author of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership "A delightful and lavish feast, it left me hungry for more!" Margaret Guenther, author of Holy Listening

Combines well-known religious paintings with explanations of what is happening in each image and how the pictures can be used as a way of "listening" to God and learning simple lessons

The Catholic Church, with its particular understanding of how art should relate to faith and spirituality, has commissioned and inspired some of the most beautiful works of art the world has ever seen. This booklet goes to the root of what good devotional art is, how it should work, and the feelings it should inspire. It also explores the effect that different styles of Christian devotional art have had on modern and contemporary art, and why the estrangement of the Church from the artistic world has left both sides much the poorer.

Would you like to learn to pray like a medieval Christian? In Mary and the Art of Prayer, Rachel Fulton Brown traces the history of the medieval practice of praising Mary through the complex of prayers known as the Hours of the Virgin. More than just a work of comprehensive historical scholarship, the book asks readers to immerse themselves in the experience of believing in and praying to Mary. Mary and the Art of Prayer crosses the boundaries that modern scholars typically place between observation and experience, between the world of provable facts and the world of imagination, suggesting what it would have been like for medieval Christians to encounter Mary in prayer. Mary and the Art of Prayer opens with a history of the devotion of the Hours or “Little Office” of the Virgin. It then guides readers in the practice of saying this Office, including its invitatory (Ave Maria), antiphons, psalms, lessons, and prayers. The book works on several levels at once. It provides a new methodology for thinking about devotion and prayer; a new appreciation of the scope of and audience for the Hours of the Virgin; a new understanding of how Mary functions theologically and devotionally; and a new reading of sources not previously taken into account. A courageous and moving work, it will transform our ideas of what scholarship is and what it can accomplish.

"JESUS CHRIST & THE VIRGIN MARY IN ART: A VISUAL PRAYER BOOK & ART ANTHOLOGY" is a distinctive new religious art book. It is a stunning 334 page 9" by 11" hardcover printed on 70 lb. bright white glossy paper which totally enhances the true colors of each marvelous painting. This comprehensive collection of 280 incredible oil paintings truly becomes a strong personal conduit for reflection and compelling inspiration for an intimate closeness with Jesus Christ and The Virgin Mary. Readers will learn about the life and art career of 36 master religious artists, their distinctive art styles, historic perspective and enjoy many of their finest religious artwork created from 1200 A.D. to the early 1900's A.D. It is as much an interesting learning experience in art history, distinctive painting styles and historic perspective as it is a heartening study of important religious artwork and creating a new channel to reaching God. The creation of this book began with a goal of producing a stunning visual anthology of the best artwork--some rarely seen---of the most talented religious artists including El Greco, Giotto, Caravaggio, Raphael, Rubens, Duccio, Angelico, Bellini, Grünewald, Botticelli, Bosch, Mantegna, Van der Weyden and many more and encouraging a VISUAL meditational focus on the paintings while praying or reflecting. Traditional, centuries-old Christian Meditation involves reading bible passages, and fervently reciting prayers to reach a meditative state. This VISUAL PRAYER BOOK takes Christian Meditation to a new beautiful sensory level by combining the focusing of all our senses on the vivid images while praying--all leading to a stronger channel to absorb the love and strength of Jesus and The Virgin Mary and allows our being to be totally one with the painting. The 280 oil paintings are presented as a "window" or a "meeting place" of our mind and soul between ourselves and God. We hope that readers may find a capacity to move through and beyond to "contact" God in a direct, personal way-- creating a time of communion in which you may be inspired, healed, reconciled, challenged, and nourished. Meditating with art---particularly religious art--is a practical devotional tool that is highly portable. The presence and strength of God is all around us, all the time. The creativity of these spiritual paintings powerfully reaches us throughout our being. What emerges from the artist touches the viewer. The viewer opens to the spiritual realities the image presents. The image unites the artist and the viewer----and GOD AND OUR SPIRITUALITY IS AT THE CENTER. Here is what noted art historian, best-selling art author and PBS host of art history broadcasts; Sister Wendy Beckett once observed: "I knew that if we really looked at all spiritual religious art, we would see that it draws us into something greater than ourselves, something beyond, something other... .. -- AND THAT SOMETHING IS GOD!" The Voice of God is often "heard" through image rather than sound. Hidden within the silent metaphors of artistic impressions, whispers of the Holy Spirit can be recognized and sensed. This section of Oasis dedicated to meditating with art, strives to distinguish these whispers in an atmosphere of artistic beauty and solitude. "Every genuine art form -especially paintings---in its own way is a path to the inmost reality of man and of the world. It is therefore a wholly valid approach to the realm of faith, which gives human experience its ultimate meaning." Candace Loheed said "Resting the mind can be accomplished by meditation, and also by artwork, which allows the intuition to flow: the conscious mind recedes. Meditation and artwork at their best complement each other, and true things emerge." This book truly brings together the appreciation of beautiful religious artwork and its importance in reaching a closer to connection to God by focusing on the artwork and praying.

Featured here are some of the finest examples of illuminated pages from mediaeval and Renaissance Books

For laypeople and clergy of any denomination. Examines how and why religious ritual works or doesn't. Uses social science, theology and common sense to explain the key roles symbolism and liturgy can play in meaningful and fulfilling communal worship."

Where do you seek God? Are you waiting for him to appear in a monumental, life-altering event? In God Moments, Catholic blogger Andy Otto shows you how to discover the unexpected beauty of God’s presence in the story of ordinary things and in everyday routines like preparing breakfast or walking in the woods. Drawing on the Ignatian principles of awareness, prayer, and discernment, Otto will help you discover the transforming power of God’s presence in your life and better understand your place in the world. Andy Otto found God’s presence in surprising moments during his life—when, as a Jesuit scholastic, he taught children in Jamaica and also as he discerned the call to marriage with his wife. By combining elements of Ignatian spirituality with the lessons that came from his experiences, Otto identified three practices that helped him find God in all things: Awareness—Gain an understanding that God is present in the ordinary messiness of our lives such as battle with depression or sharing in the struggle of a friend. Prayer—Develop a prayer life using Ignatian practices such as asking for a morning grace and examining how your prayer was answered at the end of the day. That way you can focus on a personal relationship with God that finds everyday physical activities such as making a meal as an opportunity to talk to him. Discernment—The more you are aware of God’s presence and draw closer to him in prayer, the better you can learn how to plug into God’s narrative of the world in a way that enables you to participate in the divine story through the use of your gifts and talents. With God Moments as a guide, you’ll have a better understanding of how to seek personal wholeness in the reality of God’s presence in the ordinary and learn to accept his invitation to participate in his transformation of the world.

How can we meet God in our everyday lives? In Earth, Our Original Monastery, Christine Valters Paintner, bestselling author and online abbess for Abbey of the Arts, shares how living contemplatively with an appreciation for the natural world can make you more aware of the presence of God in every aspect of your life. She explores monks, mystics, and saints who have experienced the goodness of the Divine in nature and invites you to find solace and spiritual revelation in the wonder of God’s creation. The purpose of contemplative living, Christine Valters Paintner suggests, is to allow you to integrate the pieces of your life within yourself, in your community, and in the world around you. When you pay attention to each moment, you nurture your ability to see God’s actions in those moments. In Earth, Our Original Monastery, Paintner invites you to begin the journey of contemplative living by focusing on the image of the earth as your original monastery—the place where you learn your most fundamental prayers, participate in each day’s liturgy of praise, and experience the wisdom of the seasons. Paintner provides seven ways of seeing the earth in light of faith and pairs each one with a practical invitation to a practice. These include: the earth as original cathedral—where you first learn to worship and feel God’s presence around us, paired with the practice of stability the earth as original saints—plants and animals live their calling without trying to be something they’re not and inspire you to do the same, paired with the practice of gratitude the earth as original icon—nature can serve as a window to the holy in the same way that icons do, paired with the practice of lament As you explore what these connections between the earth and faith mean for how to see God in the world around you, you can also look at saints and mystics who experienced nature and the flow of the divine in similar ways.

“I often shrink from books about prayer, because they usually produce in me feelings of inadequacy. I was delighted to find Tim Jones to be a sympathetic, not intimidating, guide. He writes with humility, clarity, and practicality–exactly the qualities I want in a book on prayer.” –Philip Yancey Revised and Expanded Edition with Study Guide Included “Timothy Jones…guides us into a life of prayer not by cramming us with knowledge and technique, but by quietly returning us to simplicity of soul and the presence of God.” –Eugene Peterson Something within us wants to grow closer to the God who loves to relate to us. But we often hesitate. Even though we have a desire to pray, questions nag us: Can I pray when I feel distant from God? Is it okay to ask God for help in “little” things? What do I do when I don’t know what to say? What sense can I make of seemingly unanswered prayer? How do I keep growing closer to God? In The Art of Prayer, Timothy Jones honestly shares his own struggles with prayer and invites you to be honest–and hopeful–as well. Offering biblically wise, warmly instructive explorations of our questions, Jones considers how you can become fluent in the world’s simplest language: talking with God. Includes a full-length inductive Bible study guide on prayer, ideal for small groups or individual readers. “…wisely human, spiritually practical, and wonderfully interesting.” – the late Lewis Smedes, author of My God and I “…luminous prose and…lucid insights.” –Publishers Weekly

Written in beautiful verse, and including five full-color illustrations, this book is designed to help parents and children to pray together.

A spiritual anthology drawn from the Greek and Russian traditions, concerned in particular with the most frequently used and best loved of all Orthodox prayers--the Jesus Prayer. Texts are taken chiefly from the letters of Bishop Theopan the Recluse, along with many other writers.

Kids will learn how to draw prayers and then keep the visual memories throughout the day.

Everything you need to know about prayer. Perfect as an introduction to prayer or as a guidebook for those who already pray this book offers down-to-earth guidance on every aspect of prayer. Learn to overcome distractions, meditate well, and much more!

Simplicity in Prayer: Workbook and Journal and Simplicity in Prayer Revised; are designed to build, strengthen and fortify the Believer in prayer. Purchased as a combo pack, it will make for a memorable and life changing experience; while at the same time gaining useful information for building and/or repairing a fundamentally sound foundation in prayer. Whether you are building or restructuring your prayer life, the combo pack of the book, the workbook and journal, coupled with your desire for relationship with the Lord, will be very useful and profitable to your journey in prayer.

This interactive devotional is for the person who isn't satisfied with a dry faith. If you're dying to hear God's voice, the good news is that you can! Jesus is the door, and He has opened Himself up to you. He wants to put the "personal" back in the personal relationship that we tell others we have.

The chapters in this important handbook on the lost art of prayer cover such subjects as: praying for your nation, interceding for the lost, praying for de-liverance, groanings in the Spirit, fasting, and pray-ing for those in sin.

The Art of Prayer is the penultimate resources for students of the Kemetic Legacy who are seeking a way to connect with NTR (NeTeR) through worship and praise. Once fully armed with all the information needed to engage in prayer on a ritualistic basis, students of the Kemetic Legacy can use this text as a guide to move away from intellectual study and begin truly practicing and living the culture and religion of our ancient Kemetic Ancestors. This book includes information such as: What ritual do I follow to rid my house of spirits? What is the Medu NTR incantation to properly send a loved one to the afterlife (Duat)? How do I bless my food using a Kemetic prayer and ritual? How do I invoke the qualities of a specific Neteru (force of nature) so that it may manifest within me? What are the sacred times for prayer and why? What is the significance of prayer from a Kemetic perspective? and more.The foundational prayer that is taught in Art of Prayer is the Duau, which is a daily ritual prayer that should be performed four times a day when one is in a purified state. The accompanying DVD also gives clarity regarding the postures of the prayer and the pronunciations of the Medu NTR. The book will explain how to wab (purify) before each ritual prayer. There are also details about Senemeh, which are personal prayers that do not require ritual purification, as well as details on the background of prayer within the Legacy using the ancient wisdom texts as a guide.

Rediscover the lost art of praying together as author James Banks explains the amazing things that happen when God’s people pray and enjoy life-transforming blessings.