Unnoticed Loss in the Decline of Imagination

Wow. This title is full of generalizations, which I do not at all condone. But, sometimes generalizations are very near the truth. I'm convinced this is the case. After all, how many people really notice the decline in the USE of imagination among young people (and therefore grown up kids)? Who knows. But how many of these people notice the effect this has on prayer? I venture to guess: not too many. Furthermore, I dare to suggest that this effect is a negative one. That's right. The misuse, abuse, and lack of use of the imagination negatively impacts our prayer life.

First off, what is imagination? It is, basically, our ability to form mental images and concepts about something that is not present to us. It takes all sorts of things we have experienced, and combines them in to fantastic images.  From there new ideas can be formed, and brought into reality through expression and creative arts.  Without imagination we find ourselves confusing reality with fantasy, and the experience of the unseen is - well - unimaginable.

One beautiful and essential form of prayer is meditation. According to Father Hardon's Catholic Dictionary meditation is "that form of mental prayer in which the mind, in God's presence, thinks about God and divine things." Thinking about God and divine things requires imagination: the piecing together of all we hear and experience about God. Meditation is principally concerned with the mysteries of the faith. Again, imagination is essential. 

I wonder what would happen if young children, in addition to (or at times even instead of) memorized vocal prayer were encouraged to write a story about Jesus as prayer? Or listen to a story and share what they felt, what they saw, what they think... Begin and end with the sign of the cross and a prayer to the Holy Spirit.  Nourish their imagination at all levels, and a vital aspect of prayer will be strengthened. 

Then, it is only left for us big kids ....