Below are listed some strategies for writing to pray using scripture as the foundation and inspiration.
1) Following the daily readings, (accessible through the US Catholic bishops’ website,) explore the connections between the readings.
2) In the style of Lexio Divina, you could read one passage several times, narrowing down to a single word that catches your attention, to then “expand upwards” as you ponder that one word.
3) You may want to choose a particular book, and turn it into a journal retreat. You could create some general questions to ask yourself, and as you read the passages, pause periodically to answer them. Some questions might include, how does this passage make me feel, who am I in this passage, what does this passage teach me about God, how does this passage relate to the relationships in my life? (This can include relationships of all sorts, including with God, stuff, people, time, virtue, sin, etc.) You could also “free write” in response to your reading.
4) Albeit playful, but always interesting, literally open the bible randomly, close your eyes, point. Then read a couple verses above and below where you pointed. Then, explore how this passage relates to your life. You might want to think of how it relates past, present, future, or you may want to think of large areas of your life, and how it connects to each of those.
5) Either by choosing a specific book, or by following the daily readings, engage in meditation, imagining yourself in the story, or watching the story unfold from nearby. Use all of your senses to capture the scene. Following your experience, write about it, trying to capture the experience as you witnessed it, as well as feelings about it. This could be done as a journal entry, creative nonfiction, a narrative story or poem.
© 2012 Marilyn MacArthur, all rights reserved
Writing to Pray 