Read the following passage from Mark 10:
People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.
Mark 10:13–16.
I like to use this passage in imaginative prayer as a means of praying for others.
Try to imagine the scene – A village scene in first century Palestine. Simple streets and buildings; a village square, Jesus standing in the shade of a large tree, a small crowd of people standing around, or sitting on the ground, listening to him teach. Other people around the edges going about their daily business, perhaps stopping to listen for a while. A few mothers with young children standing at the back, listening. Other children running around the outside, playing.
Now picture yourself sitting at the edge of the crowd – perhaps sitting on a low stone wall, watching and listening.
Think of someone you want to pray for. Picture them as a child or young person, sitting beside you on the wall.
As you are sitting there, you notice some of the young children run up through the crowd towards Jesus. Some of his disciples stand up and immediately try to move the children away, telling them to go off and play and not to bother Jesus. Jesus, however, stops talking to the grown-ups, rebukes his disciples, and calls the children to come to him. Jesus puts his arms around each one, or tousles their hair, says something nice to each of them, and they each in turn, run off again to play.
Next, as you are watching, you notice Jesus look over to where you are sitting beside the ‘child’ you are praying for, and beckons the child to come to him. You turn to the child sitting beside you, and encourage them to go to Jesus. Let your imagination take you forward. If they are reluctant, offer to go with them. Try to imagine them going up to Jesus, then you pull back, leaving them with Jesus, putting his arm round them, or talking with them. You may want to imagine what Jesus might say to them, or just leave them in silence – you don’t need to know.
Once you have left your friend with Jesus, return to your place on the wall. Sit silently for a moment, then return to the present. Be grateful for whatever you have experienced. Don’t worry if you have found this exercise difficult, trust that God will have used it, both in your life, and in the life of the person for whom you have been praying.
This imaginative prayer exercise can also work as a means of coming personally to Jesus – imagining yourself as a child or young person, and imagining Jesus calling you to himself, then talking with you, perhaps taking you away from the crowd as you walk and talk together.
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