Our Comfort Crosses can be a helpful tool to focus and ground your prayers. Holding or gently touching or allowing your fingers to feel the smooth olive wood cross can help centre your thoughts, calming your mind and creating a deeper connection with God.
Ignatian Contemplation
Have you ever considered trying to pray with Imagination? This creative practice invites you to engage your senses during prayer. Rather than simply reciting words, you can use your imagination to place yourself in a specific biblical scene. Holding the cross, a tangible reminder of God during this time can help you remain grounded, allowing you to immerse yourself more fully in God’s presence.
One beautiful way to explore this practice is through Ignatian Contemplation, rooted in the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola. In this method, you might imagine walking alongside Jesus, witnessing a miracle, or having a personal conversation with Him. As you hold your Comfort Cross, trace your fingers along and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your imagination, bringing Scripture to life in a vivid, intimate way.
Praying with imagination can deepen your relationship with God, enhance your understanding of Scripture, and provide new insights into your faith. By holding the cross, you ground yourself in God’s love, helping you process emotions and discern His will more personally.
Learning to Linger
Lectio Divina is an ancient Christian practice of slow, prayerful Scripture reading. It is a practice of slowing down, listening and digesting scriptures. Moments of lingering over individual words, instead of rushing through verses seeking the main idea. We welcome the Holy Spirit and the Word to go from our head to our heart, transforming us.
Practice
- Set aside 20–30 minutes in a quiet space. Hold loosely your cross allowing it to connect with your hand.
2. Begin with a brief prayer inviting the Holy Spirit.
3. Read the passage slowly several times, moving naturally. Look for words that stand out, reflect on those, consider why and talk to God honestly about those reflections.
4. Allow pauses and silence; do not rush. Rest in God presence