"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy" St. Therese of Lisieux
The most beautiful thing about prayer is that it can be so incarnational- using our bodies, our senses, and of course concrete sacramentals to aid us in our response to God, who lovingly reaches out to us. This is especially important in working with people with special needs, including ADD-ADHD and ASD, for whom repetition, movement, visuals and tactile experiences are such an important part of how they learn best. So here are some things that can help especially bring out this sensory, incarnational aspect of prayer...
To get started, it's always easiest to begin with things that are usually present anyway.
Beads: There is something deliberately meditative and soothing about the movement of running your fingers over beads. Beads have been used in prayer for centuries, and in many different religious traditions. The Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet can be said using the same beads- and by the way, usually include other visual reminders which can be mini lessons- namely a crucifix and a medal. The Divine Mercy Chaplet also has the beautiful image of Jesus to meditate on as one prays. There are lots of methods for making a full rosary, or decade string, which is not only a good way to talk about how to pray the rosary or chaplet, but also personalizes it, and can then be blessed. Here are a couple!
How To Make Knotted Cord Rosaries
How to Make Sacrifice Beads/Rosary Decade
The Stations of the Cross: This can be found in every Church. Not only is there a visual for each station, but movement from station to station, to 'travel' along the journey with Jesus. Outdoor/walking Stations are also powerful in that space allows for larger, sometimes more tactile images to reflect on.
Music: having chant, taize, or other meditative music playing softly, or available on headphones is soothing, encourages the atmosphere of the sacred, and personal meditation and prayer.
Sacred Art: We are blessed with a rich tradition of icons, statues and paintings. Paintings are wonderful ways to communicate a story without words. Icons are rich in symbolism and doctrine, as they are meant to be a "window to heaven" truly making present the person or event depicted.
Statues, especially figures that might later be gently handled, are also wonderful sensory additions to prayer, as they remind us of the presence and intercession of those who have gone before, the communion of the faithful, which also includes those in Purgatory and in Heaven. One example is these small statues from Joseph's Studio (and carried by many Catholic book/gift shops) are beautiful, and made of resin, so they can safely be handled. (On a side note, they also distribute the Fontanini nativity pieces, which are made of the same material.)
Art Supplies! Some really do think, focus and express themselves better in pictures- their mind works in images, and having art supplies like paint, markers, available really is the best way to evoke a personal prayer.
Incense: this might be something for people to get used to, but there is wonderful tradition here, recognizing something that is holy, of our own prayers and small acts ascending to God, as well as a pleasing smell. This also tends toward an atmosphere of the sacred.
Prayer Sensory Bins:
might include sand, water or oil, and/or or other applicable objects smooth rocks, shells, objects which invite touching, along with a scripture passage or picture to look at to lend toward making connections, relaxation, and meditation.
Hopefully this gave you some ideas, and got the juices flowing... what other sensory experiences have been helpful in your prayer?
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