top of page

Imaginative Prayer Guide for Healing



This method is especially appropriate for scenes from the Gospels, but also possible with other biblical narratives.


1) Begin: Consider how God looks upon you, delights in you, loves you; become aware of being in God's presence; stand for a moment, bow if you wish, then be seated comfortably for your time of prayer.


2) Preparatory Prayer: Offer to God all your will and actions, especially in this time of prayer; ask God for a specific grace that you need and desire right now (peace, consolation, healing, hope, etc.).


3) Contemplate the Biblical Story: Suggestions can be found below.

  • Read the text slowly and carefully; recall what it is about; then let it come alive for you!

  • Place yourself inside the story, using your imagination; become one of the characters in the scene.

  • Participate in the dynamics of the scene, dialoguing & interacting with Jesus and the other characters.

  • Observe what is going on around you in the scene: What do you see, hear, feel, smell, taste, touch?

  • Dialogue with the other characters: What do they say or ask you?

  • Notice what is going on inside you as you pray: joy, sorrow, peace, confusion, love, anger, etc.

  • If you get distracted or your mind wanders, gently return to the blicical text and re-enter the scene

4) Colloquy: Enter into a short personal conversation with Jesus (or God the Father or the Holy Spirit); speak heart-to-heart, as if conversing with a close friend.


5) Closing Prayer: Conclude by praying the Our Father, Hail Mary or another familiar/favorite prayer; you might stand, Kneel, bow, raise your hands, or adopt another posture to mark the end of your prayer.


6) Review: Afterward, briefly review what you experienced during this time of prayer. Consider journaling about what happened.


Story

Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law: (Mk 1:29-31, Mt 8:14-15, Lk 4:38-39)

Cleansing of the Leper: (Mk 1:4-45, Mt 8:1-4, Lk5:12-16)

Healing of the Centurion's servant: (Mt 8:5-13, Lk 7:1-10)

Healing the Paralytic: (Mk 2:1-12, Mt 9:1-8, Lk5:17-26)

Healing of the Woman's Hemorrhage: (Mk 5:25-34, Mt 9:12-22, Lk 8:43-48)

Giving sigh to two blind men: (Mk 10:46-52, Mt 20:29-34, Lk 18:35-43, Jn 9:1-4)

Restoring man's withered hand: (Mk 3:1-6, Mt 12:9-14, Lk 6:6-11)

Healing the Royal Official's son: (Jn 4:46-54)

Healing a slave's ear: (Mk 14:47, Mt 26:51-54, Lk 22:49-52, Jn 18:10)


Further Questions for reflection and journaling:

Do I trust in God's healing power?

What do I need healing from?

Where is God's presence in my difficulties, suffering, loneliness, and pain?

Can I bring those challenges to God and to Jesus?

How does God respond to you needs?

Comments


bottom of page