In his Spiritual Exercises, Ignatius of Loyola (the founder of the Ignatian spiritual tradition) lays out a basic pattern for the imaginative contemplation. This involves asking God to give you a specific grace during your time of prayer, carefully reviewing the basic elements of a particular scriptural episode related to your spiritual needs, and then using your imagination to enter into those events. For Ignatius, it is important that you allow your imagination (and not your pre-existing desires or expectations) to guide you into prayer — opening an emotional and spiritual space for the Holy Spirit to bridge the divide between your unique personal experience and the universal message revealed in the scripture. In many cases, Ignatius also suggests you discuss the fruits of your contemplation in a casual imaginary conversation with Jesus before concluding with a formal prayer.

Ignatius also emphasized the careful review of prayer afterward, listening for patterns of openness and resistance in your conversations with God. Humbly listening to these clues in your prayer — and in your daily life through the examen — sustains a quiet movement toward becoming what Ignatius called a “contemplative in action” as you learn to recognize the patterns of God’s presence in every aspect of your life.

With this in mind, you may find it helpful to use the following approach to your prayer during the retreat:
1. Begin your prayer by relaxing into the moment. Take time to center yourself and become completely aware of your feelings and thoughts in the present. When you have properly prepared yourself, take a moment to consider the specific gifts you wish to receive through this particular time of prayer and present these needs to God.

Note: You also should allow space for God to help you discern other spiritual and emotional needs you might have, remembering that these leadings will come from a loving and nurturing God.

2. Read the scriptural selection you will be using in your prayer. Do this slowly and meditatively, allowing it to seep deep into your consciousness.

As you review the passage of Scripture that you will use during this time of prayer, visualize the main elements of the story that is being told and the physical environment in which that story takes place. Take your time to slowly see the people involved in the story, their surroundings and objects relevant to their actions, and what they are doing.

Note: It is important to make certain that you understand the key elements of the story and their significance as you compose in your imagination the contemplation for a specific prayer period.

3. When you are ready, imagine yourself in the story being told to you. Become aware of whether or not you participate directly in the events of the story or observe them. Become aware of what the environment feels like and how you are affected by the different people and events of the story being told to you in prayer.

Depending on how you use your imagination, this can mean many different things. Some people are able to “see” very strong visual images from the scriptural story while others “hear” the conversations in the passage and still others have strong emotional impressions during imaginative contemplations. You will need to find — and trust — your own way of imagining yourself in the scripture passage you want to contemplate.

Allow your imagination to guide you during the contemplation and do not try to control the images of the prayer. Sometimes, a distraction may reveal powerful insights or hidden desires you want to share with God. Or if you find yourself expanding on the story at the heart of your prayer — by connecting it to other scriptural passages or adding details from your own life — these “expansions” may be God’s way of communicating with you.

Note: Still, do not strain to hold onto your prayer if you find yourself unable to stay in the imaginative realm. Feel free to refer to the scriptural account (or any notes you prepared for your prayer) if necessary, taking a few deep breaths after putting these materials aside and allowing your imagination to guide you forward from the point where you became distracted.

4. After completing the contemplation, allow your personal needs and desires to come to the surface of your consciousness. Then, gather them and express them in an informal and friendly conversation with Christ. Speak as you would to a close friend, being certain to allow space for Christ to speak to you about his needs as well.

Ignatius called this prayer the colloquy, an exercise of the imagination in which you share the deepest desires of your heart with a loving and interested God. Like the Celtic saints, Ignatius believed that God actively engages us — in our prayer and in the world around us — in a conversation intended to fulfill God’s desires for a redeemed creation.

Note: Sometimes, this conversation constitutes the bulk of a prayer period.

5. Conclude your imaginative contemplation with a short formal prayer, such as Lord’s Prayer or one of your own favorites.

6. Review your prayer. Write down the significant moments from your contemplation and the colloquy shortly after leaving the space in which you prayed. You might find it helpful to compare notes from different contemplations since this will help you understand the ways your imagination guides you in prayer. Also, by helping you mark the growing presence of God in your life, these acts of review will nurture your capacity to discern God's will for you and deepen your gratitude for God's loving presence in your life.

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