The Audacity of Using Imagination in Prayer

Editor’s note: Throughout July, we’re hosting 31 Days with St. Ignatius, a month-long celebration of Ignatian spirituality. In addition to the calendar of Ignatian articles found here, posts on dotMagis this month will explore the theme of “The Audacity of Ignatian Spirituality.”

One day, I began praying using John 21:4–19, and I decided to observe Peter having breakfast on the beach with Jesus after the Resurrection. I used my five senses to imagine the scene.

I pictured Peter welcoming me to sit beside him on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. I heard waves lapping against the boat, where a tremendous catch of fish occupied disciples.

“How generously God provides for us,” Peter said.

As I watched disciples sort the fish, their happy comments drifted over to me. “Here’s a feast for a whole family!” one disciple said, holding up a plump tilapia in both sun-bronzed hands.

I smelled both the strong scent of fish and the fire on which Jesus was cooking. I heard a shifting branch crackle in the fire. Suddenly, a bold shift occurred.

“Do you love me?”

Jesus looked right into my eyes. And I thought, Well, of course, I do. I’m looking right at you. The end of Jesus’ mouth turned up.

“Loretta, do you really love me?”

I imagined myself replying aloud this time. “Are we talking about my neighbors and my family? Because, yes, I love you and them.”

And now Jesus’ face broke into a genuine smile, and he asked me a third time, “Loretta, do you love me?”

And I started to get it. Jesus wanted me to love that super-difficult person who is causing me so much pain right now. What a turn of events! I never expected this when I sat to pray.

Addressing Skepticism About Ignatian Contemplation

And that is one of the great benefits of Ignatian contemplation, or imaginative prayer: God surprises. I thanked God for leading me to this awareness and closed my prayer period.

I sometimes get questions from skeptics when I give retreats, such as, “Isn’t it rather audacious to make up stories that involve Jesus?”

I remind them that Jesus was a great storyteller and often tapped into people’s imaginations as he taught. Remember that Jesus asked people to visualize the reign of God as a mustard seed, a treasure buried in a field, and other metaphors.

Implied in the query is a doubt: “Isn’t it presumptuous to think that God uses imagination to communicate? Who do you think you are?”

I reply that I am a precious child of the Most High God, just as the questioner is, and God invites us, sinners though we are, to bring our whole selves into intimate relationship with God. That gives me the audacity to imagine talking to the Maker of the Universe—and the glorious Redeemer Jesus—like I’m talking to a buddy.

And then I address the question, “Aren’t you just making it all up?”

I explain that here is where discernment plays a role. It takes practice to decipher God’s inspirations from a cunning conniver’s. Some people hear God in feelings, in sudden pictures or ideas popping into their minds, in friendly advice, or in lyrics. Others hear God through their imaginations. I don’t think I’m using my imagination as much as God is using it.

God loves to communicate with each of us directly and in myriad ways. Ignatian contemplation is, for me, a wonderful tool to draw me into silence. I’m prone to distractions, but during imaginative prayer I have fewer of them.

St. Ignatius taught imaginative prayer for good reasons. It helps us open ourselves to God, who wants to heal us and draw us deeper into loving relationship.

Some may be tempted to discount this prayer style because it’s too daring. But when someone is madly in love, like God is with us, we can get away with bold moves.

Repeatedly God asks me to imitate the love Jesus has. It’s a love that allowed Jesus to forgive people even while they crucified him. It’s a love that forgives everything. It’s a love that is incredibly audacious.

Image: Konrad Witz, The Miraculous Draught of Fishes, 1444

Today in 31 Days with St. Ignatius, Rebecca Ruiz shares the fruits of a Gospel contemplation in God Cares About the Big and Small. Use the hashtag #31DayswithIgnatius to share your thoughts about imaginative prayer.