A “Hidden Prayer” Collage: A Creative Spiritual Direction Practice

This past week, I was trying to think of a creative activity for my spiritual direction group. I wanted something that still felt like spiritual direction, with shared silence and listening to God together, while also giving us a way to use our hands. What we ended up doing was such a gentle, beautiful experience that I thought I’d share the process here. You can do this alone or with a group.

This practice allows you to express something true in writing, “release” it into God’s hands by layering over it, and then let something new and beautiful emerge. It holds depth, gentleness, and a bit of contemplative mystery.

Materials Needed

• Mixed media or watercolor paper

• Pen, pencil, or marker

• Tissue paper

• Other collage elements (book pages, old music sheets, pretty napkins, wrapping paper, etc.)

• 1–2 of the following: stickers, metallic markers, gold leaf, washi tape, stamps

Step 1: Begin in Silence and Start Journaling

Give each person a small piece of heavy mixed-media or watercolor paper. Invite them to settle into silence for a moment, and then begin journaling directly on the page whenever they’re ready.

You can offer a few prompts:

• What is stirring in me?

• Where am I feeling invited?

• What am I resisting?

• What do I long for from God?

• What am I tired of carrying?

Let them know that this writing will be covered, so they can freely write what is real and unedited. This becomes their “hidden prayer” layer.

Step 2: Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:6–7, 16–18 (NRSV)

“For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’
who has shone in our hearts
to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ.

But we have this treasure in clay jars,
so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God
and does not come from us…

Even though our outer nature is wasting away,
our inner nature is being renewed day by day…

Because we look not at what can be seen
but at what cannot be seen;
for what can be seen is temporary,
but what cannot be seen is eternal.”

Paul reminds us that the most precious things God is doing in us are often unseen, like treasure held in simple clay jars. As we begin adding layers to this page, we are not erasing our words and we are not hiding them from God. We are honoring them, entrusting them to His care. We are letting God hold what is true and allowing Him to continue His gentle, quiet work beneath the surface.

Step 3: Begin Layering

When you’re ready, begin tearing and placing your pieces of tissue paper and collage elements over the journaling. There is no right or wrong way to do this. As you layer, imagine God holding everything underneath, healing, redeeming, comforting, and tending to what you wrote. Let your hands move without overthinking. Choose colors and shapes that feel right for the moment.

Step 4: Add a Symbol of Blessing

Once the layers are dry, add one small element of blessing on top.
This could be:

• a metallic mark

• a sticker or stamp

• a bit of gold leaf

• a single brushstroke

• a small shape or symbol

Let this represent what God will do, is doing, and has already done.

Step 5: Reflection

Take a moment to look at your finished piece. Gently notice what rises in you.

You might ask:

• What surprised me while I was creating?

• What did the process feel like in my body?

• What part of my finished piece draws me the most? Why?

• What might God be whispering through the layers?

• Did anything shift inside me as the layers were added?

Hold gratitude for whatever God stirred in you today.