Here is a short prayer guide for your use as you go on “wonder walks” in the nature this Fall.
You will need:
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Comfortable walking shoes.
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Drawing paper and clipboard, or a drawing pad with a hard back.
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Notebook or journal.
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Pencil (and whatever other art materials you may wish to use).
Prayer Guide:
Take a slow walk outside alone or with someone else. If you have company, choose not to talk to each other for a while so that you can be more aware of everything else around you. You can take a walk in your home garden, own neighborhood or out in the mountains, seaside, or riverfront.
Begin by standing upright and balanced. Pull your shoulders back and relax. Notice your body and its subtle movements, possible tensions and aches.
Become aware of Jesus being with you. Can you imagine what he looks like? What is he wearing?
He invited you to go for this walk with you. He is eager to show things to you and be with you. You can talk to him quietly in your heart and listen to him as you walk, or just be quiet together.
Start taking in your surroundings, the smells, sights, temperature and sounds. Do not rush. You might see something that you want to touch. Go ahead and touch it (if it’s allowed and safe, of course!).
After a while, notice if there is something in particular that catches your attention. Pause and get closer to it. Hold your gaze on the object or creature for some moments. It can be a stick on the ground, a tree, a stone, a building, an insect, or even a person. If you can, hold it in your hand. Take time to study the details of it (texture, weight, smell, etc.). You might even ask yourself what it would feel like to be that object.
Peacefully, keep your eyes on this one thing or person. Remind yourself that Jesus is with you and is watching closely the same thing that you are. Hold this gaze with Jesus. Imagine what he sees. What do you see? Is there something that Jesus wants to tell you through what you are looking at? Don’t analyze or try to explain anything. Simply look.
Draw what you see, or if you can you can pick it up and take home with you. Remember that some things should be left in nature.
Next to your drawing, if you wish, write down any thoughts that came to mind.
If you were able to bring your object of observation with you, you can use it as part of a nature weaving or hanging mobile. Each time you go for a walk and your eye catches something that you want to spend time looking at with God, you can bring this home and finally you have enough to make a weaving. Alternatively you can simply place the object at your prayer table, or somewhere in your prayer nook.
Notice:
What was it like to go for a walk with Jesus? How was it different from any other walk, even though Jesus is always with you? What made this time different?
What did you notice about your surroundings?
What did you spend time looking at? How was it for you to pay such a close attention for a long time to one thing?
Reflection:Do you have a fixed “sit spot”, a "sacred place" out in the nature where you can go, rest, and observe the world around and within you?
What is your earliest memory of you enjoying the nature? Where were you? What did you do?
How does weather and your physical environment affect your life with God?
What hinders you from spending time outside?
--From Kutsu Companions, 2018.