A Trip Down Memory Lane
But with Jesus
In this week’s episode I talk about going back inside my memories in order to write my story. I am shocked to discover God is there waiting for me—He’s living inside the memories and moments, being and working and blessing and lifting. If I hadn’t gone back to look, I never would have known. Every time I go back now I see and experience something new.
So, today I thought I’d lead you into a little Ignition reading/imaginative prayer practice but instead of reading the Bible, you’ll be reading your life, looking for God in your remembered days. I grabbed the framework for Ignatian prayer from The Jesuit Post:
Step 1: Preparations
Spend a little time deciding when and where you will pray, as well as what memory from your life you want to focus on. Choose something specific—not a season or even a day but rather a scene (an hour at most).
Step 2: Entering into prayer
Pray for guidance: Pray that all of your thoughts and actions be directed by God. This experience is more than a thought experiment and this prayer helps to remind us that we are seeking greater knowledge and closeness to God. Ask God specifically to go with you into the memory.
Review the memory: Tell yourself the story of the memory. What happened? Who was there? How did you feel? Identify all the major plot points, characters, and emotions. You might call someone who was there and have them tell you the story. You might read a journal article or consider a photograph.
Composition of place: Take some time to set the stage and picture the environment in which the story takes place. Immerse yourself in the scene and look around for a moment.
Ask for the grace you hope to receive: What do you hope to gain from this time of prayer? Ask God for that grace. Ignatius suggests: “I ask for the grace to know Jesus intimately, to love him more intensely, and so to follow him more closely.” Remember, you’re entering the memory with the purpose of meeting God.