• Start Here
    • Disclosure & Privacy Policy
  • Blog
    • Prayer
    • Spiritual Disciplines
    • Trusting God
  • Prayer for the Week
  • Store
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Prayer and Possibilities | Prayer - Discipleship - Spiritual Disciplines - Discernment - Trusting God

Prayer & Possibilities

  • Deepen Your Prayers
  • Develop Your Faith
  • Step Into God’s Possibilities
You are here: Home / Prayer / How to Use Coloring in Your Prayer Time

March 17, 2015 ·

How to Use Coloring in Your Prayer Time

Prayer

Sharing is caring!

4.5K shares
  • Facebook203
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
Do you love coloring? Did you know you can use coloring as a form of prayer? Learn more about the ancient practice of praying through art and connect to God in a new way through a mandala prayer. {+free printable prayer cards}

When was the last time you colored with crayons? Until recently, when my daughter was old enough to begin coloring, I hadn’t colored in decades. She wanted me to color with her, show her how to do it, and share time with her doing this new favorite activity. Only, I’m not artistic. At. All.

I get all closed up and anxious when I’m staring at a blank sheet of paper. I see pictures of friends doing those painting parties and think that’d be a fun girl’s night out, but then I see the blank canvasses they started with and wonder how I’d ever produce something presentable.

I finally found a compromise that let me do coloring with my daughter without too much anxiety. In fact, I found it quite fun and relaxing. A coloring book! I found I could color within the lines and let my mind fall into the rhythm of coloring.

Do you love coloring? Did you know you can use coloring as a form of prayer? Learn more about the ancient practice of praying through art and connect to God in a new way through a mandala prayer. {+free printable prayer cards}Creating art can be a form of prayer

One of the most ancient forms of prayer is the mandala and it’s used across many different religions. The word mandala means “container of sacred essence” in Sanskrit. It originated as a spiritual practice in the 6th century BC out of the Hindu and Buddhist religions, but is now used by many others, including Christians.

Some of the more familiar forms of mandalas are the elaborate powdered marble designs made by Tibetan monks, the sand paintings made by the Navajo Indians, the Celtic knot, and the rose windows featured in many churches.

Active prayer to quiet the mind

You can use a mandala in your prayers in different ways. One is to find a template with a design (a coloring page) and color it in. Or you might draw your own design and color it in. You may even choose to create your own unique drawing, allowing your hand to create what comes to you in prayer.

With a mandala, you start with a circle. Create your prayer space. You don’t have to stay within the lines, but this is your sacred space for prayer. You can draw your own circle on a blank piece of paper or print out a coloring page.

Then, begin to color. As you color, let your mind wander. This is not about the end result, but about the process of prayer. Spend time in prayer and talking with God as you color. Or, simply release yourself into His hands and allow God space to speak to your heart.

You can repeat scripture or a short prayer as you color, allow your mind to wander through the thoughts God places on your heart, or simply relax into the exercise.

Do you love coloring? Did you know you can use coloring as a form of prayer? Learn more about the ancient practice of praying through art and connect to God in a new way. {+free printable prayer card}Letting go of self to draw nearer to God

As I prayed through a mandala drawing this morning, I realized this one is a difficult prayer technique for me because I crave order and a plan. Starting with a blank sheet of paper and allowing myself to draw without a plan and an end result in mind is a challenge. I want to know that I’m working toward a great outcome.

Yet, I was reminded this exercise of prayer – really the whole faith journey – is about releasing myself to the process of following God’s lead. He calls us to surrender, to release ourselves to His control, to focus on our journey not our destination. I needed to let my mind wander and release my thoughts, so God could speak. I needed to accept that my picture may be meaningless and amateur by others’ standards. I needed to release that this prayer is not about the drawing, but about the process of spending time with God.

In humility, I’ll share the mandala I colored this morning:

Do you love coloring? Did you know you can use coloring as a form of prayer? Learn more about the ancient practice of praying through art and connect to God in a new way through a mandala prayer. {+free printable prayer cards}

Do you love the adult coloring book craze? Or are you looking for a new option to calm your mind and connect with God in a different way? Take out a piece of paper, make a circle, and draw your way into prayer. Or, choose your favorite coloring book and get lost in the movement of coloring as you let your mind connect to God.

PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE: Try coloring or drawing a prayer circle today. Try printing a coloring page and just spend time coloring. Release your mind to God as you color, entering into prayer. 


Resources:

Like this post? Explore this and other forms of prayer through the Pray Deep prayer journals. Each book will lead you through a variety of prayer methods through 21 days of focused prayers. Get started with one today!

{These are affiliate links – and my own books – so any purchases help grow and sustain this blog.}


Below are some resources on praying with mandalas, as well as some sources for printable coloring sheets and coloring books:

Coloring Mandalas @ SpatiousFaith.com (also has links to printable coloring sheets)

Color Yourself Closer to God @ UpperRoom.org

Finding the Sacred in Coloring Mandalas @ LoyolaPress.com


{these books are affiliate links, so I get a small commission to help sustain and grow this blog.}

Pray Deep

This post is part of the “Pray Deep” series. For more information on the series, click HERE.

Other Posts You May Like

Previous Post: « Is God Really Listening To My Prayers?
Next Post: Windows to Heaven: Praying with Icons »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dawn Boyer says

    March 18, 2015 at 7:26 am

    Mandala’s have such a unique history, the Rose Window is one of my favorites. The Mandala represents order, and conformity… the math behind it is fabulous. One of my endeared books is Beauty for Truth’s Sake, it is a math book, actually… but it talks about the power that one finds in the beauty of math.(including the Mandala) I have never been able to look at a stained glass window the same, I literally see the math in everything I look at but I one of those people who really loves numbers. 🙂
    I have never used the mandala process for prayer, personally, though I do journal and create as I write and pray. I would love to take a trip to visit sacred labyrinth gardens some day, just to sit and walk in the beauty and peace that seeking Christ in the ordered pattern brings.
    Blessings,
    Dawn

    • Kathryn says

      March 18, 2015 at 8:55 pm

      I ran across a lot of controversy about using mandalas in Christianity, so was really cool to learn that rose windows and labyrinths are actually mandalas. I actually love how these are used in so many cultures and religions and can be meaningful in different ways. I’m writing about labyrinths next week – highly encourage you to walk one if you’re near one.

  2. Being Woven says

    March 18, 2015 at 3:51 pm

    I bought a blank journal and have a set of nice colored pencils. I scribble on a page and then write names or events or needs in some of the spaces. As you describe, I quietly pray and calmly seek God in the midst of coloring like a child. It is wonderful.
    I have “Praying in Color” where much of my ideas came from. I look forward to heading over to your links.
    Caring through Christ, ~ linda

    • Kathryn says

      March 18, 2015 at 8:52 pm

      I’ve really enjoyed finding these art techniques for prayer. I love the prayer doodling the best, but have found the mandalas to be powerful too. I need to get a new art journal and markers (my daughter keeps taking mine!) 🙂

  3. sarahgirl3 says

    March 18, 2015 at 7:28 pm

    I have never heard that term. That is so cool! I love that you shared what yours looked like-mine wouldn’t have looked so good 🙂

    • Kathryn says

      March 18, 2015 at 8:49 pm

      This really is a fun – and impactful – way to pray. I’m much better at using coloring pages, but a friend of mine does art in hers. She has this amazing one of a tree that just came together as she let her prayer lead her pencil. Turned one way it’s a tree with branches; turned the other it’s the roots. the best part, she said, was her time after when she journaled about the experience and how that picture spoke to her.

  4. Cathy Kennedy says

    March 20, 2015 at 6:45 am

    Recently, while watching House of Cards, there were several brief scenes of men from India (I think, I can’t remember for sure) creating a design on a table. Each person were carefully filling each section with colored chalk (I think). They were focused, no words exchanged, when they finished it it appeared some sort of verbal prayer was offered, the ring of bells, and then they swept the image off the table. Could this been a Mandala Prayer? The design was beautiful and I didn’t understand the meaning until possibly now. Thanks for the enlightenment! It’s nice meeting you through Friendship Friday!

    • Kathryn says

      March 21, 2015 at 6:44 am

      I bet that was a mandala prayer! They are used quite a bit in Hindu and Buddhism and I’ve heard that they’ll often sweep them away once the prayer is over. There’s something very relaxing and meditative about a repetitive, non-thinking task – like coloring. The action keeps your mind focused yet available – and I’ve found it can be a great and interesting way to pray. Thanks for sharing that story.

  5. Mary Geisen says

    March 21, 2015 at 6:18 pm

    I had not heard of the use of mandalas for prayer. I would like to try it sometime. When I saw your title, I thought your post might reference Mark Batterson’s book “Circlemaker”. He talks about prayer as circling around what you are asking for and sometimes physically completing the circle. That is a very rough overview but I found it to be one of the most powerful books I have read on prayer. Thank you for joining The Weekend Brew.

Trackbacks

  1. Pray Deep: Ignite Your Prayer Life - Finding Hope says:
    March 19, 2015 at 4:53 am

    […] Prayer Circles […]

  2. Praying Deep in Real Life - Finding Hope says:
    April 3, 2015 at 5:11 am

    […] I may decide to pray through doodles or color a mandala. This is one of my favorites. I may write out verse from the day before, phrase by phrase, […]

  3. Pray More. Pray Better. Pray Deep! - Finding Hope says:
    September 22, 2015 at 11:43 am

    […] I found numerous other ways to engage God in prayer. I’m no artist, but I love praying through art and doodling. I love getting out my markers and Bible to pray over a key verse, writing out the […]

  4. 10 Ways to Find Stillness {even if you don't like silence} - Finding Hope says:
    April 4, 2016 at 4:32 am

    […] Try finding stillness through art. Coloring and painting are great ways to pray and find stillness as you relax into the movement. […]

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hi, I'm Kathryn! I'm glad you're here to journey with me! I'm just an ordinary girl following an extraordinary God, learning to seek God's possible in this world of impossible. Fueled by loads of coffee, I'm passionate about helping and encouraging you along this journey, too! Let's step forward together and learn practical ways to live into God's possible! Read More…

Lookup a word or passage in the Bible


BibleGateway.com

Footer

Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Privacy Policy
  • Blog
  • Store
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · beloved theme by Restored 316

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT