As children, we are not taught to have an imagination. It is a natural part of how we were created and should be encouraged so that it grows. It usually starts out leaning toward delightful play which can entertain for hours, especially if another playmate joins in the imaginative rolls. I believe that God created humans with the unique ability to imagine so that we can interact more fully with Him. It is a gift that has been overlooked or discouraged for fear of imagining evil or not living in the “real world”.
Depending on the circumstances of life, our imagination can also turn toward fearful scenarios all too easily. It seems we all get there eventually, where we find ourselves “worrying”, which is our imagination being used by the enemy. For some reason it easily becomes a habit to let fear build from one scene to the next, each worse than the previous one until reality can insert itself to stop the wanderings.
“Much of our thinking, whether planning or “jumping to conclusions,” involves our imagination. Fear and faith operate in the realm of imagination…When we experience an event vividly in our imagination it is imprinted as an experience, even though we did not physically do it.” Matt Litton, ”A Call for Christian Imagination”
But, God desires to meet with us through our imagination. The more detailed you can be the better it imprints and transforms you.
…“the imagination offers people the power to move from wanting a deeper relationship with God and wanting transformation, to actually having a deeper relationship with God and actually being transformed! As we get to know Jesus through our imaginations, he becomes more than a historical figure or name we pray to or through.” Ministry Matters article, “Praying with Imagination”
It is important to ask God to sanctify and protect your imagination so that you can meet with Him. It typically will start out with you allowing yourself to “see” a scene that is enjoyable to you. It can be one that you have physically been to or can be wildly strange to the physical world. Then make yourself pay attention to each of your other senses. Sometimes you will be able to experience them all and other times only sight, touch and hearing. As you sense more detail of the place, look around and enjoy it. Let yourself rest there for a while. Then ask God to join you there. Sometimes you will see Him show up and other times you have a “knowing” of where He is. Pay attention to where He is in proximity to you. If He isn’t near you, ask Him to come close. If you don’t feel comfortable with this, then ask Him to tell you what is going on with your heart that isn’t comfortable with His nearness. Otherwise, enjoy His closeness and tell Him (out loud if possible) how you feel about Him being there with you. Let Him respond to what you say. Allow the scene to change and unfold in any way that God desires. It is His pleasure to be with you so that you can get to know Him better.
Always test what you see and hear against scripture and the character of God. If it isn’t lining up with those, then stop and ask Jesus to come and bring truth to the situation. If you still aren’t sure, ask someone you know to be mature in the Lord if what you are experiencing aligns with God’s character.
This type of prayer has transformed me tremendously and I hope you will give it a try.
