Beauty That Heals: My Journey with Creative Prayer and Art Therapy 🎨
“I have come to not only believe but know: No matter what your age or your life path, whether making art is your career or your hobby or your dream, it is not too late or too egotistical or too selfish or too silly to work on your creativity.”
Julia Cameron (The Artist’s Way)
There’s something profoundly healing about sitting down with an adult coloring book, a box of colored pencils or crayons in hand, and letting the act of creating become a prayer. For me, it’s not just about the colors filling the intricate designs on the page—it’s about how, in those moments of quiet creativity, I sense a deeper connection to the Creator.
I began exploring creative prayer during a particularly difficult season of my life. My prayers felt stuck, my words repetitive, and my heart heavy with the weight of unanswered questions. I was looking for a creative outlet for my feelings and found an adult coloring book filled with intricate floral patterns and Bible verses. I decided to give it a try, hoping it might offer a small distraction.
What I didn’t expect was how it would open a new pathway for prayer and healing.
As I colored each section, my thoughts slowed, and my spirit quieted. I began to meditate on the verse inscribed on the page. My prayers became less about finding the perfect words and more about releasing emotions through the movement of my hands. It was as if the act of creating mirrored the way God Himself creates beauty from brokenness.
Art therapy has become one of the most significant tools in my healing journey. There’s science to back it up—how engaging in creative processes can soothe the nervous system, reduce anxiety, and promote emotional well-being. But what moves me even more is the spiritual truth that underpins this practice: we are created in the image of God, the ultimate Creator (Imago Dei). That means creativity isn’t just a gift; it’s part of our very essence.
Whether it’s coloring, painting, knitting, or another creative act, I’ve come to see these moments as an extension of worship. They are a way of expressing the truth that we are created to create. In Genesis, God calls Their creation "good," and when I engage in creative prayer, I feel a faint echo of that divine affirmation. It reminds me that beauty heals.
There’s something sacred about the process of making something beautiful. It reminds me of God’s own artistry in the world around us—His handiwork in a sunrise, the intricate veins of a leaf, or the vibrant colors of an autumn forest. When I participate in creating, I am reminded of YHWH''s transformative power to bring beauty into the messiest parts of life.
For me, creative prayer has also become a tool for processing emotions. I’ve faced moments of doubt, fear, and grief, when words failed me. But as I took my feelings to the page—blending colors, adding shading, or even scribbling out frustration—I found myself releasing those emotions to God. I didn’t need perfect words or polished prayers. The act of creating became enough in that moment.
In this season of life, I’ve embraced the idea that beauty is not a luxury—it’s a healing balm—A truth the Lord keeps reminding me of in the midst of my darkest days. And we don’t have to wait for beauty to find us; we can participate in its creation. Whether through adult coloring books, painting, or simply arranging flowers on a table, we can use creativity as a way to meet God, to heal, and to remember that we were designed to reflect His glory.
So, if you find yourself feeling stuck, heavy, or simply longing for a new way to commune with the Spirit, I encourage you to pick up a crayon, a paintbrush, or a needle and thread. Let the act of creating become your prayer. Let it remind you of the truth that you were created to create, and that the beauty you make—no matter how small—is a reflection of the beauty of the One who made you.
I hope you will join me for our newest online event series, Artful Communion, starting January 25th. These monthly events are an invitation to explore artful living as a sacred act of communion with the Presence of God, creating from a place of inspired shalom. Gather with fellow creatives from across the globe as we co-create with each other and the Spirit in this shared experience of communion and artistry. Register today.
Want to dig deeper into art as a spiritual practice? Check out some of our favorite books on art and faith in the Loto Reads section of our website.
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