Playing is another form of refreshing prayer just as creativity is. It can be “played out” in many ways. We can play alone or with others. It can involve the physical activity of sports or the sedentary activity of playing cards. It can be dinner and a movie alone or with friends. One of my favorite forms of play is what Julia Cameron of the ARTISTS WAY, refers to as the Artist Date. The Artist Date is when we set aside at least 30 minutes a week to experience something different, doing something we have done before but in a different way or maybe it is something we have done before, but we haven’t done it in a while.
Artist Dates are times when our play is not done with anyone else except our Creator. I call them Jesus Dates.
Because you do it alone with God, it is a special way of being the prayer. Being conscience of the presence of God helps you to see things in ways that you haven’t seen them before. It is no longer a flea market item. Who created it? Who used it? Was it a gift? For what occasion? What can I do with it? You can find yourself praying for the former owners. Every Artist Date can be reflective. It can be a journey of imagination and wonder.
God’s ways are infinite and the possible reflections that come from these dates bring about a union with God that can be both prayerful and refreshing.
The best way to experience an Artist Date is to go out, but that is not always possible. It requires some creativity to figure out something to do in the house, but it can be done. The cup of tea is done thoughtfully as it turns into a tea party. The basement or attic can become the garage sale with new items to discover. The effort to leave the house or use your imagination within your home can, at times, seem daunting, but the results are worth it.
As we grow up and the stresses of the world weigh heavy upon us, we often neglect the use of our imagination. It seems childish, but it is not.
God used His imagination to create the world. Allow Him to continue to use it through you.
As you are filled with God, you will be helping others if you offer the date up as a prayer. It is you being the prayer. A means of praying without ceasing. It is not just an afternoon of bicycling, taking a walk or going to a museum. You will be refreshed and that will help you to willingly be there for your neighbor in need. You will come out of your playful time with a greater infilling of God and that is just what the world needs. While I am focusing on playing alone and calling them Artist Dates, this is also true when we are with friends. People hold God, the Creator, within them. When we are with others and mindful of that, we are in union with God as we experience His love and imagination being expressed through them. With your very life, it is a beautiful prayer to offer up. Either way, if we are mindful of God’s presence, play can be a time of refreshment, a fruitful prayer and preparation for giving our neighbors what we have been filled up with…God.
Questions to Prayerfully Reflect On
Pray and reflect on Peter being a part of the imagination of Jesus in order to be obedient from Matt 17:24-27.
Pray and reflect on the servants being a part of the imagination of Jesus in order to help the newly married couple while, at the same time, starting His mission. John 2:1-12.
When was the last time you were open to being imaginative? Talk to God about it.
What are some ways you might play alone or with friends in order to be refreshed, closer to God and be the prayer? Talk to God about them