I am a visual learner. Because of this, I remember things better if I write them down, and read them over and over, as opposed to just hearing it. I’ll likely forget it if I “file that in the must remember category” in my brain.
When my sister-friend Jessica shared with me that she visualizes herself handing her problems/concerns to Jesus … It really changed my perspective. Like Jessica said, she visualizes whatever she is wearing in that moment, and she pictures herself walking up to Jesus, seeing herself in the clothes she is wearing, smelling the scents she smells, the sounds she hears, etc.
I’m a foodie, so I show love through food. I receive love, through food. If someone makes a meal or a dessert for me, I receive their love. When Terry takes me out to eat, I receive love. I love food and I love loving food.
Lately, I have really been struggling with some things about our lives in this current society and country that I just can’t quite grasp. So I become like Tita in the novel, Like Water for Chocolate. Spoiler alert: Tita is only able to truly express herself when she cooks. If you haven’t read it, I will leave it at that.
When I have been cooking lately, I spend extra time with Papa. Stirring and praying. Sometimes crying. Sometimes pounding the chicken a little harder than usual. Sometimes smashing that garlic a little more fiercely, than required. Sometimes allowing the onion tears to elicit more tears, of my own.
Then, when we sit down to eat, I visualize myself sitting at Papa’s table. It’s a big, beautiful table in my mind, and Jesus is always seated to His right.
When I visualize a seat at His table, I suddenly feel like I have a voice that is heard; unlike if I frantically post something on social media and my thoughts and feelings fall on deaf ears (or upon blind eyes). Having a seat at His table allows me to feel His presence, even more.
So in my mind, when I am seated at His table during this dinner party and God asks me, “What’s on your heart, Aimee?” I feel like their eyes are on me, and I can put down my fork and pour out my heart.
Like I said, I”m visual. Jessica sharing this visualization process with me has changed my prayer life, significantly. So, being a foodie, my visualization prayers look like I’m at a dinner party at God’s table. Or a brunch. Either way, I like to picture myself seated at the table.
In my prayers, I’m trying to listen to the wisdom all around me (this is me reading scripture, seeking wisdom). Until the Holy Spirit nudges me and I’m asked what’s on my heart and mind?
The beautiful thing to me about this visualization is, when I am asked, I am heard.
The conversations and chaos around me, as though would happen at a real dinner party or at a restaurant; the noise ceases. I can feel Papa’s eyes on me. I can sense Jesus’ ears are listening to my cries, and hearing my pleas for comfort, discernment and peace.
“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him. And since we know he hears us when we make our requests, we also know that he will give us what we ask for.” - 1 John 5:14-15 (NLT)
This verse reminds you and me of something so powerful: 1. We are confident that He hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him. 2. Since we know He hears us when we make our requests, we also know that He will give us what we ask for.
Let’s be realistic here, though. Whenever we ask for anything that pleases Him (also written as anything according to his will; because, casually asking for a Ferrari is not what this scripture means) He hears us and He gives to us what we asked.
So when we ask for His peace, His discernment, His guidance, His grace, His mercy, His forgiveness, His strength … these are things according to His will, and we know without a doubt He hears us, and He is listening. And He gives those things to us.
I picture sitting at that table with Papa, and pouring out my heart to Him. Likely embarrassing the other people seated at the table who would have their acts together far better than I would; when it is my turn to talk, I imagine passionately pleading with Papa to help me, to heal me, to give me wisdom and show me His way, and to give me a peace about x,y and z.
And you want to know something beautiful?
When I picture this, Papa and Jesus always stand up and open their arms to comfort me as I weep. They don’t just sit there, eating, cringing and asking, “Who invited this girl to the table?”
Nope. They don’t ever say that.
They listen and when they see me not having it all together, and sobbing, they stand up and welcome me into their arms; they love me and hold me and kiss my tears away.
Whatever works for you, I urge you to visualize yourself talking in the presence of God. Because whenever you pray, my dear friend … you are doing just that. You are speaking in the presence of God.