A Prayer for Outdoors
Spiritual Growth through Reflection on Your Life in a Nature Setting
Apr 11, 2008
This reflection allows for time and space to bring peace into the storms that often crowd the centre of life. You might like to pray through this reflection while you are on a walk, or maybe sitting in your garden and imagining a walk with God into a forest clearing. You can use it while you enjoy the ruggedness of a wilderness track, or the quietness of a local park.
When you have found a quiet spot and stilled yourself, enjoy a time of silence. Take time to listen to the sounds of nature, look around, and take in the outdoor atmosphere. Then, when you are ready, enter into the reflection. Allow yourself plenty of time. You may like to write down any insights that come.
Reflective Outdoor Prayer
Imagine the howling wind, the trees swaying, the noise, and the icy cold.
As you walk into the forest, along a narrow track, the sound of the wind gradually lessens.
It’s not so cold further along the track,
and the howling wind quietens.
After some time you come to a clearing.
It’s a round clearing, surrounded by clumps of ferns and small bushes.
Behind them are tall, ancient trees, willowing gently in the breeze.
Dappled light filters through the branches.
In the clearing there is stillness.
Complete stillness
You are enjoying the silence.
What comes to mind?
What does the still small voice say?
God says to you that he is the restful centre of your life.
As you bring all aspects of your life to God, at the centre, the worries of the outer world will become gradually calmer. Tell God about the people who are important to you, especially those you’re anxious about. Talk together about the situations that now challenge you. Look, together with God, at those people and the difficulties you have talked about.
God’s love surrounds the people you’re concerned about.
You can start to see creative ways of dealing with the difficult situations.
You are filled with peace beyond understanding.
After a while you walk back down the bushy track,
out of the bush…
The wind is now calmer.
You can face the outside world with a new strength.
Remember that the risen Jesus promises to be with you always.
Other Ways to Use the Reflection
- If you can’t manage to get into the outdoors, but want to enter into a creative prayer the reflection can be used indoors.
- Before you begin the prayer you may want to read a portion of the Bible. A helpful quote is from the Old Testament book of Isaiah (41:10). Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.
