Mixing Arts and Prayers

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“Arts, crafts and sciences uplift the world of being, and are conducive to its exaltation.” —Baha’u’llah

Mixing arts with prayers is a powerful way to uplift our spirits. As a Bahá’í, I regularly co-host interfaith prayer gatherings in my home. Everyone is invited to share prayers from any faith or from their hearts, or to join in silent or other forms of meditation. Effective prayer gatherings help us feel closer to a power and presence greater than ourselves, create more mindfulness in our day-to-day lives, and refresh and gladden us. These gatherings are definitely a highlight of my life—especially when combined with creativity.

Reciting scripture is already awesome. When coupled with inspiring artistic expressions, it’s like our prayers have superpowers. A creative boost can occur when enjoying creative offerings such as an uplifting song, craft, or dance. Activities like these can cultivate a deeper sense of joy, gratitude, and spiritual connection with the Creator, yourself, and those around you. In planning your own prayer gathering, here are some things to consider regarding the incorporation and use of the arts.

Where to Start
Think about your own creative strengths, passions, and what you can sincerely offer with love.


Have an Open Mind
What’s considered uplifting and reverent (creatively speaking) can vary a lot from culture to culture, place to place, and person to person, making it challenging to please everyone all of the time. Experiment, invite others to participate, and be open to what they may contribute to the event.

A Simple Format
I’ve experienced that having a simple format creates a more relaxed environment and leaves room for diverse participants to share or express themselves in whatever ways they may feel moved to.

Consider Your Group
Whatever activities you do plan, consider the group’s diverse interests, abilities, and backgrounds.


Expectations
When your event begins, let guests know what they can expect regarding your format and offer suggestions for how they could participate if they want to.

Music
Select songs that are uplifting or can nurture the group’s spirit. Prayers and scripture set to music are especially powerful, though we often like to play other awesome songs as well. With singing, don’t worry if it’s not perfect. This may encourage others to sing, too. Avoid pressuring anyone to join in.

Keep Learning
It’s okay to make “mistakes.” In the Bahá’í teachings, there aren’t set rules or rituals about how to have a prayer or meditation gathering. Bahá’ís can reflect practices of whatever culture they’re from, or creatively explore other possibilities that can uplift the community.

Noble Reinforcements
Find fun and creative ways to encourage each other to practice our noble qualities such as reverence, dignity, love, and service. i.e. Do a craft, have someone select a beautiful “Virtues Reflection Card,” or play a game that helps the group learn, discuss, or focus on a particular virtue until the next gathering.

Team Effort
Team up with family and friends to coordinate this event to help things stay fresh, easygoing, and joyful for everyone. Give different tasks to each helper or switch up who hosts and/or the venue each time.

Below are some creative ideas I’ve tried as a guest or as a host. Many of the tips and techniques throughout this article I’ve had the privilege of learning from others, which I’ve adapted to fit my own skills or needs of the group. If something here sparks your creativity, use or adapt it for your prayerful purposes. May the creativity and spirit be with you!

 

Set Up

 

Put out books from different faiths, and some non-denominational ones that share inspiring teachings or virtues. Also include pretty decorations like decorative mats, flowers, and a handmade craft like the battery powered paper houses in this link:
https://www.brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/nurs-nook-create-a-community-of-light

 

Musical Selections

Decide on the tone or mood you want to establish. Our prayer events team likes to select two prerecorded songs. These are played to help everyone get into and out of a meditative state and to indicate the beginning and close of our prayer and meditation time. The opening one is soothing and the closing one is a bit more upbeat.

 

Meditative Art Making

Set out colored pencils and coloring books that adults or kids may use if they’d like. Or, provide small pieces of paper, black fine point markers, and pencils for creating meditative doodle designs. A book on Zentangle® art can also be out for silent perusal and inspiration.

 

A Crafty Treat

If time permits, this origami heart-shaped lollipop topper is sweet for older kids and adults to create before or after prayer and meditation time:
https://www.brilliantstarmagazine.org/articles/i-heart-you

 

Bake!

If you enjoy baking, one of the most talked about and artistically attractive parts of our prayer gatherings are the homemade treats on the table. Baking is an excellent creative expression that can show love and support for friends and family in a way that often gets the most appreciation from our guests. It’s a real plus if you include treats that are both delicious and healthy, especially for anyone who may be sugar, gluten, or dairy intolerant or have other special diet needs.

 

Wishing Tree

Fill a small jar or cup with non-hardening clay. Stick the end of a small tree branch in the clay and cover it with colorful sand. Cut out leaves from colorful paper and with clear tape, secure the end of a 3" (7.6 cm) pipe cleaner to end of each leaf. Invite guests to write their hopes and prayers on a leaf and attach it to the tree by winding the pipe cleaner around a portion of the branch.

 

Collaborative Prayer Pictures

This activity can be done as its own arts and prayers event, in place of time for other forms of prayer and meditation. Set out pencils and colorful markers with prayer and other spiritual books. Give each person a sheet of printer paper. Have everyone write their own name and an inspiring short quote or portion of a prayer on the backside of their paper. Play gentle music as everyone silently draws or writes on the front side of their paper inspirations they have about the quote or prayer they’ve selected.
         If anyone at any time during this activity passes their paper to the left, everyone else must quietly pass their paper to the left, too. Now each person adds to the picture they’ve just received—based on any inspirations they have from that paper’s quote, prayer, or artistic expressions. Continue passing the papers and creating in this way for about 20 minutes. When time’s up, everyone passes each paper to its original artist. Invite anyone who wants to share their piece and thoughts with the group to do so.

*To share your own arts and prayers ideas, please e-mail brilliant@usbnc.org or visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BrilliantStarMagazine. ;

 

 

Lisa Blecker is an author, illustrator, and educator who has taught arts, crafts, and character building classes for diverse children of all ages inside and outside of the school system for fifteen years. Currently, she and her husband C. Aaron Kreader co-own Studio 9 Inc.—a family-friendly multi-media and publishing company where Lisa co-creates and develops award-winning games, books, and animation, as well as various concepts and content as a freelancer for Brilliant Star magazine.

 

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Updated on 8.17.16