"Lord, teach us to pray...." Images of God in the Media

Last week at Band Camp, one of the evening options was to gather all the members of the band to watch a film of the students choosing. The film selected this year was Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith. What struck me about the choice of this particular movie was the over arching themes of good and evil; light and darkness; destructive power versus serving the greater good. God is very popular these days in film and on television. As long as I can remember, God has been a major force in the entertainment business. I think of George Burns in his portrayal of the Divine in Oh, God; Morgan Freeman playing the folksy janitor in Bruce Almighty; the great leap of faith that Harrison Ford delivered in the final Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade; and who can forget Alanis Morrisette's interpretation of the Almighty in Dogma.

Teresa Blythe in her book 50 Ways to Pray offers an exercise for readers to consider the image of God portrayed on both the big and small screen and how we respond to it. The writer admits that this is an analytical exercise. However, surrounded by prayer, Blythe believes that the following exercise can bring about a state of mindfulness. I encourage you to try this exercise where the primary intention is to prayerfully consider images of God seen in the visual arts. I have included some clips below to assist you on your journey.

The Exercise

• "Before you settle in for a time of silence, select a film or television clip that in some way either portrays God, alludes to an image of God, or visually presents an aspect of religion or spirituality. Have the clip ready to play.
• Take a few moments to breathe and settle into silent prayer. Then, ask God to be present in the viewing of the clip and in your question. Ask God to reveal whatever you need to have revealed.
• Watch the clip. Then, rewind and watch it again.
• What is the image of God suggested here? for help on this, examine bot the dialogue and the religious symbolism How are the characters in the clip responding to this image of God?
• How does this image of God fit (or not fit) with your own? Think about both your chosen images of God and the images you grew up with. If the image of the clip appeals to you but is not one you usually think of for God, how might this image help in the development of your relationship with God? If the image in the clip repels you, think about what that is. Is it a non-biblical image? Is it an image that doesn't fit with the loving and merciful nature of God? What is disturbing you about this image?
• What is your response in prayer to the image of God presented here? What do you want to say to God about this image? What might God be trying to say to you in the midst of this reflection?
• Close by letting go of all visual images of God and simply sitting in the presence of the Divine Mystery we call God." (50 Ways to Pray, page 111)

Love One Another - Brian


George Burns and John Denver in "Oh, God."

Morgan Freeman in "Bruce Almighty"

Star Wars IV

Star Wars  

Harrison Ford in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade"

Alanis Morrisette in "Dogma"

"Jesus of Montreal"

Southpark

Kevin Spacey in "Pay It Forward"

Robert Duvall in "The Apostle"

Raul Julia in "Romero"

The Cast from "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"