Encounter the Lord through the practice of Visio Divina

As we considered what kinds of posts to share on this blog, we knew we wanted to include a mix of posts that could encourage, equip and empower you! Whether it be a deep dive into our 2026 theme, Rivers Out of Eden, a practice for you to engage with or a lesson that we’re learning from the Lord, we truly hope that you are encouraged by The Wellspring. 
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This month, we’d like to share a Visio Divina with you. While words have power to transform, sometimes God speaks most clearly through what we see. That's why our team has embraced Visio Divina - "divine seeing" - as a complement to our beloved practice of Lectio Divina (“divine reading”).⁠

Visio Divina invites us to encounter God through sacred images, art, or even nature, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak through visual beauty rather than written text. Just as we slow down to listen deeply with Scripture, this practice teaches us to gaze intentionally, noticing what draws our attention and inviting God into that visual conversation.⁠

We chose a beautiful image of a river for this Visio Divina. We invite you to first look at the image and let your eyes stay with the very first thing that you see. Keep your attention on that one part of the image that first catches your eye. Try to keep your eyes from wandering to other parts of the picture. Breathe deeply and let yourself gaze at that part of the image for a minute or so.

Now, let your eyes gaze at the whole image. Take your time and look at every part of the photograph. See it all. Reflect on the image for a minute or so. Consider the following questions:

• What emotions does this image evoke in you?
• What does the image stir up in you, bring forth in you?
• Does this image lead you into an attitude of prayer? If so, let these prayers take form in you. Write them down if you desire.

Now, offer your prayers to God in a final time of silence.

Wow, what a beautiful practice! Our prayer is that you would be encouraged by the practice of Visio Divina today, and that you’d be empowered to implement it again with another image or two in the coming weeks. Our world can be so loud and distracting, and our lives fill up so easily. And yet, the Lord wants to meet with us, to speak to us, to be with us. May we pause and find moments to meet with Him, listen to His voice and simply be with Him. 

Image by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash.