This is a form of imaginative prayer. Our imagination is our creative function and one of the ways we are created in the image of God our Creator. St. Ignatius of Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises taught this form of prayer he called contemplation. Many of the saints used this kind of prayer also. It consists in taking a scene from the life of Christ and reliving it, taking part in it as if it were actually occurring and you were a participant in the event.

Here is the Gospel story of the man born blind. (Read story.)

"Then they came to Jericho.  As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.  When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, 'Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!'
"Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, 'Son of David, have mercy on me!'
"Jesus stopped and said, 'Call him.'
"So they called to the blind man, 'Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you.'  Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
'What do you want me to do for you?' Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, 'Rabbi, I want to see.'
'Go,' said Jesus, 'your faith has healed you.'  Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the way."

Now I invite you to close your eyes, and let your imagination take you where the Holy Spirit leads you. Let’s take a few, long, deep breaths. Get comfortable.

Now imagine the road leading out of Jerico…Jesus leading a large crowd along this road…Take time to imagine this whole setting as vividly as possible. What kind of road is it? Smooth or rutted? Wide or narrow? Notice the weather and time of day.

Now let the scene come to life. See the people moving along with Jesus. How many are there? What sort of people? How are they dressed? What are they doing? What are they saying? Why are they following Jesus?

It is not enough to observe the whole scene from the outside as if it were a movie. You must participate in it. What are you doing there? Why have you come to this place? What are your feelings as you survey the scene and watch these people? What are you doing? Do you speak to anyone? To whom?

Now notice a commotion on the side of the road near you. A blind man is shouting at Jesus, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Everyone is telling him to be quiet and not bother Jesus.

Notice the blind man whom the gospel passage speaks about. How is he dressed? How old is he? Is there anyone with him? Walk up to him and speak with him. What do you say to him, or what do you ask him? What does he say in reply? Spend some time getting as many details of his life and his person as possible. What sort of an impression does he make on you? What are your feelings while you talk with him?

As you are speaking with him you hear over the din of the crowd, Jesus saying, "Call him!" You hear the crowd change its tone saying, On your feet! He’s calling you." What does the blind man do? You see him stop in front of Jesus. Listen to Jesus’ question, "What do you want me to do for your?" Notice the reactions of the blind man when Jesus says, "Go, your faith has healed you." How do you react?

Jesus now turns to you…He engages you in conversation. Talk to Jesus about the miracle that has just taken place.

Is there any blindness that you are suffering from? Physical, emotional or spiritual? Speak to Jesus about it. What does Jesus do or say? Listen to his words to you. "What do you want me to do for you?" Do you really want to be transformed? Are you ready for the consequences? Do you have the faith that Jesus can help you? Then listen to his words, "Go, your faith has healed you." What are you feeling? Do you have a sense that you are somehow changed even if you perceive nothing tangible at the moment?

Spend a while now in quiet prayer in the company of Jesus.

Journal your experience and share with a spiritual director or friend.

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