IMAGESOF GOD

MARC I A L BO RGH E T T I

E N C O U N T E R I N G

T H E D I V I N E

P R E S E N C E

T H R O U G H

V I S I O N A R Y

P R A Y E RTwen

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F o r G o d

T o C h a r l i e

Twenty-Third Publications1 Montauk Avenue, Suite 200, New London, CT 06320(860) 437-3012 » (800) 321-0411 » www.23rdpublications.com

© Copyright 2015 Marci Alborghetti. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission of the publisher. Write to the Permissions Editor.

ISBN: 978-1-62785-024-7 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2015935683Printed in the U.S.A.

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C O N T E N T S

Introduction

C H A P T E R 1

Healing Images

C H A P T E R 2

Forgiving Images

C H A P T E R 3

Challenging Images

C H A P T E R 4

Comforting Images

C H A P T E R 5

Charitable Images

C H A P T E R 6

Powerful Images

C H A P T E R 7

Teaching Images

C H A P T E R 8

Loving Images

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I N T R O D U C T I O N

No matter how close we feel to the Lord, no matter how open the lines of communication between us, sometimes life just gets too loud. Or too stressful. Or too technological. Or too frantic. If we can’t

hear ourselves think or can’t quiet our anxious hearts enough to form the words of prayer, how can we expect to do the most important part of prayer, which is to hear God’s words to us?

I don’t think I’m alone in this challenge. These days, finding time to pray is not the only obstacle to prayer; finding the qui-et to pray—and listen to God—can seem an insurmountable task. How often do we intend to set aside time for prayer only to find ourselves interrupted by family duties, work, a ringing cell phone, an answering machine message that goes on and on even as we try to block it out? How many times do we start a hurried prayer to God, only to realize at the end that we ha-ven’t paid attention to a word we’ve said? How often do we rely on a prayer plucked off the Internet instead of expressing our real yearning for God’s presence and intervention in our lives? How often do we even make the effort to listen in silence to try to hear and understand what God is telling us?

At a recent gathering at my city’s homeless shelter, one of the residents asked our pastor how he knew what God wanted him to do. The pastor responded ruefully, “My problem is find-ing a way to simply be silent with God. If I can manage that, the rest falls into place.”

Our intentions are good, but our execution gets muddled

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down or drowned out along the way.There is a way to bring ourselves to God quietly, and with-

out computer tips, anxiety, or half-hearted recitations. We can offer ourselves by simply envisioning the Almighty in all God’s power, goodness, and wonder. We can replace the noise and tension in our minds with calming visions of God in God’s many aspects and works.

The Bible offers many stories of people who “image” God so completely that the experience becomes living prayer for them. From Moses and the burning bush, to Joseph under-standing God’s will through dreams, to Paul seeing the Lord in the bright light that left him literally blind, Scripture is replete with people who encounter God through images of power and glory. Additionally, the Bible offers many beautiful and striking passages that “illuminate” God for us in ways that we can use in our own prayer and in questing for God’s presence in our lives.

Using these people and images of the Bible as aids, as well as our own everyday experiences, the following pages will assist us in drawing closer to God and encountering the divine presence more intensely through visionary prayer. Each chapter will ad-dress a particular kind of image of God that we may need in our lives including Healing Images, Challenging Images, Forgiving Images, Comforting Images, etc. Within each chapter will be a number of sections, each offering a biblical example and brief discussion of that chapter’s image, along with a corresponding passage from Psalms, Proverbs, or Ecclesiastes to strengthen the message. Under the heading “Finding Your Own Image,” each chapter will also provide structure for personal experiences of visionary prayer along with tips for how each of us can seek images of God in our own prayer lives.

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chapter 1

HeAliNg IMAgesWhen We Are Sick

As [Jesus] went the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down be-fore him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him and how she had been immediately healed.

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He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 9 Luke 8:42–48 0

T he image is one of chaos. The crowds are pushing and jockeying to get close to Jesus, about whom they have heard so much. They are hopeful and curious, and some of them are desperate for help.

Others just want to be able to report that they’ve seen Jesus. The apostles, acting as bodyguards, can’t keep them off, and Peter is probably irritated and concerned for the Lord. Clouds of dust and sand are being kicked up into the air. It is hot; the air is thick with tension, unanswered questions, and expectations. People are talking rapidly, some shouting, some trying to get Jesus’ at-tention, tugging on a sleeve, brushing against an arm.

It is an image not so different from that of our own lives. We need to speak to Jesus; we need his attention; we need him! We need to bring our health to Jesus in prayer and with deep hope.

But the noise!…of anxiety, a spouse’s voice, a colleague’s re-quest, a boss’ complaint, the overwhelmed mother scolding her child at the pharmacy.

But the dust and dirt choking us!…from a house that needs to be cleaned, the pollution of cars and trucks as we sit stuck in traffic, the dire news about climate change.

But the jostling!…by people on the bus, subway, or com-muter train, the crowd in the grocery store, children and pets demanding attention.

Yet in the midst of this, what does the hemorrhaging wom-an do? Does she call out loudly for Jesus’ help? Does she de-mand God’s attention? Does she push others out of her way?

No. She doesn’t say a word. She struggles to get close enough

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and then bends down to touch his cloak. Watch her! It’s as if she is alone with no loud mob surrounding her. She is humble, silent, convinced, and determined. She touches Jesus’ cloak and feels herself healed. She doesn’t scream in ecstatic triumph. She doesn’t throw herself on Jesus in gratitude. For twelve years she has suffered from a humiliating, agonizing illness that has made it impossible for her to partake in life, particularly its religious aspects, which were so important in Jewish communities. She has been ritually unclean. And now she is clean. It appears that she is ready to slip away quietly and start her new life.

It is only when she realizes that Jesus will not let her get away with her private plan that she comes forward. And again, she is not exultant with her language. She falls at the Lord’s feet and finally speaks. She tells of her terrible, humiliating illness and how by just touching Jesus’ clothes, she was healed.

What an image! This gospel passage provides an extraordi-nary example of healing for all of us who are sick and seeking God’s help. Each of us can put ourselves in the woman’s place. We can see her and feel her. We can taste the dust in the air, hear the cries of the crowd, and feel the stifling heat. And we can tune it all out, because our sole objective and all our con-centration is on touching the clothes of our Lord.

SCRIPTURE SUPPORT

For the enemy has pursued me, crushing my life to the ground,making me sit in darkness like those long dead.

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Therefore my spirit faints within me;my heart within me is appalled.

I remember the days of old, I think about all your deeds.I meditate on the works of your hands.I stretch out my hands to you;my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.9 Psalm 143:3–6 0

But those who listen to me will be secure and will live at ease, without dread of disaster. 9 Proverbs 1:33 0

FINDING YOUR HEALING IMAGE

In the very seeking of your healing image, you begin the process of feeling better. What did Jesus say to the woman? “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” Coming to God in silent confidence is the first step. It is an act of faith.

When I don’t feel well, I tend to curl up in a ball. If you feel like doing this, go ahead. God can reach you no matter what form or position you take. If you are in bed, that’s fine too. Make yourself as comfortable as you can. If you like light in the room, open the shades, turn on the lamp, or light candles. If you like a darkened room, turn off the lights and pull the curtains. Make the room as pleasant as possible for you. If you are not able to be where you want to be or control the environment where you seek your image, don’t be discouraged. It doesn’t really matter.

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The Lord knows where you are and how you are. You can’t be anywhere that God’s Spirit has not already been; you can’t be anywhere that the Almighty has not created.

Breathe deeply and as steadily and slowly as you can. Close your eyes. The next step is the most important part of vision-ary prayer. When you are ready, invite God to show you what he wants you to see. Simply let the thought come into your mind: Lord, show me what you wish me to see.

Now, wait. Sometimes you may have to wait a long time; sometimes an image will come to you instantly. Let the darkness and light gather and flicker and become still behind your eye-lids. Keep breathing slowly and steadily. As an image forms in your mind, don’t question or fight it. It may be from a Scripture passage, a personal experience, a dream, a book, or even some-thing you’ve never encountered and have no memory of seeing or thinking about before. Focus on the image. You don’t need to analyze it; if you don’t understand it, depend upon God to show you—if not now, later—why it was given to you. If you yourself are not in the image, you may choose to bring yourself into it.

For example, if an image comes into my mind of a gospel healing, I may envision myself kneeling at Jesus’ side observing the healing, being encouraged by it, being heartened, sharing in it. Stay with the image for as long as you comfortably can. Then open your eyes slowly and continue breathing evenly.

Don’t worry if the image is familiar or common in your ex-perience. Don’t discourage yourself with the words “This is me doing this, not God.” You can’t do anything without God! Everything you experience comes from God! God is using this image in a new way for you now, so relax with it, and don’t rely on yourself or your previous understanding.

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Don’t worry if no image comes to mind. Allow the soothing darkness to envelop your consciousness. Don’t become anx-ious. God is in your mind’s eye. There is no “nothing” with God. Accept the comfort God is giving you with this peaceful absence of form and figure. Be content. If you can’t keep yourself from being distressed, simply bring the image of Jesus healing the hemorrhaging woman into your mind and rest in that image.

When Someone We Care About Is Sick

So many gathered around that there was no longer room for them, not even in front of the door; and [Jesus] was speaking the word to them. Then some people came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. And when they could not bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof…and after having dug through it, they let down the mat on which the paralytic lay. 9 Mark 2:2–4 0

T he image is one of determination. Again, the crowd is pressing; everyone wants to be near Jesus! Everyone wants to see, hear, understand, and touch him. They are intent upon the Lord, drinking in

every word, every characteristic. Understandable, but it doesn’t make it easy for the family and friends of the paralyzed man. They could hardly reach the front of the crowd, nearest Jesus, if each of them were alone, never mind encumbered with a full-grown man they must carry on a mat.

But they care about this man, maybe even love him. Who is

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he? We are not told. A brother to one, perhaps; a friend, cous-in, beloved colleague to the others? Since Mark doesn’t de-scribe the carriers in any detail, it is possible that one of them could be a sister or wife or even the man’s sturdy, determined mother. What we do know about them is this: they all care enough about this man to sacrifice their own opportunities to sit quietly in the crowd, absorbing Jesus’ words and teachings. If they have enough faith to bring their beloved before Jesus to be healed, each of them surely believes that Jesus can work miracles and may be the Messiah they’ve awaited for centu-ries. Consequently, in deciding to carry their loved one in this manner, disrupting the crowd, courting ridicule and derision and sanction, risking a riot or punishment by the owner of the dwelling whose roof they ruin, they are deliberately sacrificing their own well-being as well as the opportunity to simply be near Jesus without trial and tribulation, without risk or worry.

How deeply they must care about this paralyzed man! Why? What is it about this poor man? Again we are not told and can only envision the scene. He may be relatively young be-cause Jesus calls him “Son.” How did he become paralyzed? Was he born that way? Are these carriers his caretakers? Did they know him when he was a hard worker, a good husband, an active father, an elderly mother’s only son and support? Do they believe that if they do not carry him to Jesus, they will eventually be the ones carrying his body to the grave?

Their faith is remarkable. See them tearing the roof apart, hurrying before the owner of the place can be summoned to stop them. At least one of them had to be the equivalent of an engineer to figure out how to do this quickly, efficiently, with-out the whole place caving in. Like the hemorrhaging woman,

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these people not only have great faith and confidence in Jesus; they are willing to face censure and challenges in acting upon their faith—a key and timeless lesson for all of us.

Like the carriers of the paralyzed man, we too want to bring those we love who are suffering before God. We want to be dauntless like they are. Nothing should stop us from bringing our sick friend or relative before God in prayer. Not uncertainty, not exhaustion, not a sense of unworthiness, not concern for how others will think of us, and certainly not despair. We must be confident in the Lord, in God’s power to heal and calm, to understand and appreciate our efforts, just as Jesus evidently admired the efforts of the paralyzed man’s advocates.

When we are caregivers, the burden is even heavier, which is all the more reason to bring that burden and the person we care for before the Lord. To remain physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy, we must take every opportunity to present God with our prayers, to lay our burden and our beloved at the Lord’s feet.

SCRIPTURE SUPPORT

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;you hold my lot.The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;I have a goodly heritage.I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;in the night also my heart instructs me.I keep the Lord always before me;because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

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Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;my body also rests secure. 9 Psalm 16:5–9 0

Those who are generous are blessed, for they share their bread with the poor. Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech will have the king as a friend. 9 Proverbs 22:9, 11 0

FINDING YOUR HEALING IMAGE

First, go to a place where you can find a healing image for the person you care for. It should be a place where you feel com-fortable and calm. If you wish to pray near or in the presence of the person you are praying for, that’s fine; but it is also fine to pray in solitude. Again, seek your own comfort level.

Position yourself in a way that feels right to you: lie down, sit, or kneel. Breathe deeply. If you have a “process” or simply a ritual that helps you in imaging prayer, by all means follow it; however, avoid becoming overdependent on the process at the expense of the prayer. Close your eyes and let the darkness gather behind your eyelids. Be conscious of the light and shad-ows from the last image your eyes absorbed. Let it fade, but don’t be concerned if it does not completely dissipate.

When you feel ready, invite God to send you a healing im-age involving your loved one. Be silent; rest. Don’t worry if something comes to your mind that has nothing to do with your loved one. You may find an image of a Scripture healing or an image of someone else who has been healed or needs to be healed. Don’t worry. Accept what God has given you. Stay

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with the image and see if it changes. Ask God to show you why this image has come to you. Don’t struggle to understand; understanding will often come later in your day or life, and you will make a connection.

If no image comes to your mind after some quiet time, let that person you love come into your mind in whatever form they appear, whether past or present, healthy or sick. Offer the person to God with your emotions and heart, not with words. You may even see yourself lifting the person toward God. He or she may feel heavy or light. “Image” the burden you feel regard-ing this person; accept that it may include sadness, grief, anger, or resentment. What does that burden look like? A boulder? A pebble? A pile of trash? The whole earth? Let an image of it resolve in your mind. Now offer this, too, to God.

When you offer another or yourself or a burden to God, remember one important aspect of such an offering. You must let go of the thing you are offering. Be sure to “image” yourself releasing—surrendering—this to God.

When the “Other” Is Sick

Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he be-gan to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” 9 Mark 10:46–49 0

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T he image is of separation, rejection, ostracism. In those days many among the crowd and among those who knew, or merely knew of, Bartimaeus would have believed that he was blind because of

some terrible sin he’d committed. Some would have believed his parents had committed a sin, which may be why his parentage is mentioned. His blindness would have been considered a pun-ishment. Because he was a beggar in a world that valued either religious status or hard work, Bartimaeus’ value and importance to the community would have been further diminished.

He was an outsider without friends or advocates. When he cries out loudly for Jesus’ attention, we see that the crowd gath-ered to see Jesus “sternly” tries to stifle these efforts. But we get the feeling that Bartimaeus may well have learned from society’s rejection to work all the harder to help himself. He does not give up but cries out even louder for Jesus’ help.

How do we address the needs of “the others” in our com-munities, nation, and world? How do we pray for them? Do we pray for them, or do we just sort of hope God takes care of the vexing problem they present to Christians and Christianity?

Yes, we are obligated by the gospels to pray for “the other,” and many of us truly want to. But it can be difficult to pray meaningfully for children starving in South Sudan, AIDS pa-tients in homeless shelters, people who have been tortured in nations ruled by leaders who despise God’s law of compassion. As when we try to pray for people we love, we can also feel a certain burden or resentment, as though we know we should do more but don’t want to risk too much.

It’s true: we should do more! However, praying for the other is the best way to start helping the other, because prayer causes

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us to consider the one we pray for. Prayer does not allow us to dismiss the sick or hurting other; instead, it prompts us to keep the other always in our consciousness…and in our conscience! In other words, feeling guilty because we aren’t immediately doing more doesn’t free us from the Christian directive to do something, and prayer can be that first something.

SCRIPTURE SUPPORT

They forgot what he had doneand the miracles that he had shown them.In the sight of their ancestors, he worked marvelsin the land of Egypt, in the fields of Zoan.He divided the sea and let them pass through it,and made the waters stand like a heap.He built his sanctuary like the high heavens,like the earth, which he has founded forever.He chose his servant David,and took him from the sheepfolds;from tending the nursing ewes he brought himto be the shepherd of his people, Jacob, of Israel, his inheritance.With upright heart he tended them,and guided them with skillful hand.9 Psalm 78:11–13, 69–72 0

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:…a time to break down, and a time to build up. 9 Ecclesiastes 3:1, 3 0

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FINDING YOUR HEALING IMAGE

Go to a familiar place to image your prayer for “the other.” It should be a quiet, calm place. You may play music softly if you wish, but only instrumental music. Get yourself into a re-laxed position and close your eyes. Breathe evenly and deeply, slowing your breaths as you relax. As you allow the shadows and light behind your eyelids to change and dissipate, think about the person or people you wish to pray for. Keep the thought of this person or people in your mind, but don’t force a particular image.

As you wait in the soft darkness, let the thought of your subject rest in your consciousness. See yourself releasing any resentment, grief, guilt, or anger. Image yourself letting go of this stuff, and actually form a picture of the stuff you are letting go of, so you can more effectively release it. Calm yourself with the knowledge that these negative feelings can only hinder your imaging prayer and cause you turmoil while preventing progress in your relationship with the other(s).

Continue to hold the other in your mind. Ask God to send you a prayerful image. Let it materialize in your mind’s eye. It may reflect some photograph or news report you’ve seen, or it may be something new and unexpected. Both are a gift; both are fine. Be conscious of making yourself part of the image, if only as an observer; in this way the other(s) for whom you pray will not remain outsider(s), but will become, as they should, a part of you. This will make your imaging prayer for them—and for yourself—more effective.

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