Garden of the Heart Prayer
Article by Ali Cranmer
The only way we can know what is truly in our hearts is to look to Jesus. He reveals what is really in our hearts that we are often not conscious of. Only He can give us the information we need at the appropriate times to begin, or continue, heal our hearts and make us whole. Healing prayer brings thoughts and feelings (head and heart) together. We then become more aware of the ways we are made in God’s image (our truest selves).
Imagination is a gift from God and is much like a movie screen - blank & neutral. It is neither good nor bad but simply a receptacle upon which images from our heart can be projected. If there is evil in the heart then your imagination will bring up evil images. And if goodness and beauty fill your heart then your imagination will allow you to see them too. The garden of the heart prayer allows Jesus to show us the fears ("weeds") within our hearts using our God-given imagination. All the imagery the Lord shows you is symbolic of something important happening in your spiritual growth.
I encourage us to enter this exercise prayerfully, quietly and without striving. Relax in God’s presence. Ask God to cleanse your imagination first of anything not from him in order to receive pictures of His reality. As they come up, lift each one out of your mind into God’s hand. You may also want to confess any sins before beginning the prayer as Jesus directs. Breathe out what you need to get rid of and breathe in the Holy Spirit.
Garden of the Heart Prayer (for a group or individually)
· As you rest in God's loving presence ask and allow Jesus to show you your heart as a garden.
· Look around and notice everything there. What does it look like?
· Picture Jesus there too - Give Him permission to show you whatever He desires.
· Ask Jesus to show you any weeds growing in the garden of your heart (lies, fears, anxiety, lies or any hindrances paralyzing the growth of your true self).
· As He makes you aware of any weeds, name them, or ask Jesus to name them or what they symbolize. Give them to Jesus and renounce them in His name.
· Notice carefully what Jesus does with the weeds. Does he want to give you something in return or do something with the space they occupied in your heart? Just receive from Him (picture, word, scripture, impression, song, etc).
· Thank Jesus
· Write all He shows you in your prayer journal.
Thank you Jesus, I pray you seal the work that you did and continue to remind us of your truth. We give you all the glory. Anything good done here was because of you. Continue to teach us, guide us and fill us with your Holy Spirit and Truth. Strengthen our true selves, who we really are in you Jesus Christ our Savior. Thank you.
(This Prayer is from The Journey to Wholeness in Christ: A 40-Day Devotional Adventure to Becoming Whole, p. 149 - 156, by Signa Bodishbaugh)
Ali Cranmer takes Celebrate Church through the Garden of the Heart prayer
Ali is the Director of Hospitality at Celebrate Church.
