Script for praying with icons

A Guided Meditation with An Icon

Before the meditation, it is essential to read about them and the difference between western religious art and iconography. If the icon is of a particular saint, then it would also be beneficial to know some of the story of the saint.

Say:

To begin, assume the posture of meditation and use your breath to enter into stillness and silence. Do this for five minutes.

Now open your eyes and gaze on the icon. Note that the figure’s eyes are looking straight at you. Those large eyes are seeing the wonder and glory of God! Return that gaze and appreciate that this figure is alive, with and in God, at this very moment and that this icon is a window for you to communicate with the figure and to grow closer to God, with whom they now live. Take some time just to gaze at each other and experience heaven!

Note any other figures and scenes in the icon. They are depictions of aspects of the main figure’s story. What do you recognise? An icon is like a continuous story frozen in one frame.

Note the high forehead of the figure. This represents wisdom. What wisdom does this figure offer you about who God is? What does it tell you about what God wants of you?

Note the large ears to hear the Word of God. Are there words of God or Jesus that come to mind as you gaze on this icon?

Examine the hands of the figure: they show the way to God. Are they pointing at you, or blessing you, or holding you?

Explore the colours used. What do they tell you about this figure and God?

Now just “sit with” the icon and let it speak to you. When you are finished, take a long refreshing breath and move away quietly.