Several months ago, I heard on the radio a study done that showed that body-builders who used visualization improved their performance and today while praying I noticed that I sometimes visualize my prayer intentions (not on purpose though). I know that the law of attraction is clearly Sorcery, but what about secular visualization is it not as secular as some like to believe? Is it OK to visualize during prayer?
Glory Be to The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit
and
Hail Mary, Mother of God and Mighty Queen of Heaven
The use of visualization in athletics and sports is very well documented, and has been happening forever. It’s a psychological thing, not any sort of weird esoteric teaching. Visualization in prayer is fine too. I don’t think theres anything wrong with visualizing your prayer intentions at all.
Saint Ignatius of Loyola was a big proponent of visualization and imagination in prayer, in particular visualizing yourself within passages of Scripture. I’d highly recommend reading up on this, as it’s a very powerful way to pray the Scriptures for a lot of people.
To go slightly off-topic, I don’t know that I would say the law of attraction is “clearly sorcery”. Our thoughts DO produce hormonal and chemical responses, which CAN and DO affect us physiologically and psychologically. It’s psychology, physiology, and neuroscience… not magic. I think the problem is in the approach to that which some folks have perpetuated and spun it into a kind of New Age philosophy and replacement for God in our lives, and expecting it to produce miracles.
I think if, for example, you are praying for someone else to get healthier and stronger, I do not think your visualization of that will affect them directly one way or the other. If anything, visualizing that might help YOU to focus your prayers, but the prayers and God’s will are what are at work for that person, not your visualization or lack there of. On the other hand, I think that if YOU are sick and are visualizing YOURSELF getting stronger and healthier during prayer, that is good. The prayer is the prayer and critically important, yet the visualization is a good healthy psychological response, and that will also help you. Visualizing yourself having control over temptations can help you as well…coupled with prayer and trust in God. It’s psychology, not sorcery. I’d say visualize as much as you feel comfortable, just recognize it for what it is, and don’t turn it into an idol, don’t expect miracles, and if miracles do happen know that it’s God and not the visualizing. It’s not a “get rich quick” scheme either.
