THE GOD OF HOPE

The Arrival by Diane Ely Binder

(It is not necessary to have art that is specifically “sacred”, since God can speak through any artwork. The artwork may be a painting, sculpture, photography or an actual scene in front of you. Remember, your goal is to find a quiet place to create stillness allow space to hear the “still small voice” of God.)


Find a quiet place where you wont be distracted. You will find that journaling your response to the Visio Divina prompts will deepen your experience-
so grab a journal or a pen and some paper for this exercise. To further enhance the contemplative experience, you might play soft music and/or light a candle.

* Take a few moments to sit in stillness and openness before God.
​ * When you feel ready, ask God to help you see what he wants you to see or what he wants you to notice.
* Look at the painting as a whole. What are your first impressions? What thoughts, feeling or reactions do you have to the painting? Write them down.
(Remember, there is no right or wrong way to do this, just observe what moves you and what you notice in yourself as you look at the painting)
* Now let your gaze move around the painting and allow yourself to linger where you find interest or where you feel discomfort.
What moves you, draws you in, or makes you uncomfortable?
* Where is God in the art work? Where are you? What is happening and how does it effect you?
What do you see, smell, hear, taste, or feel as you become involved in and with the work?
* Now close your eyes and imagine the painting in your mind. What stands out to you with your eyes closed? Do you notice anything new or different?
Are there any new thoughts, feelings or impressions you encounter with your eyes closed?
Open your eyes and journal what you discovered with your eyes closed.
* Journal any more feelings, thoughts, reactions (good or bad), or memories that come.
Does any scripture come to mind? Speak to God about anything that you observe and ask God for insights to your observations.
* Take some time to read over what you received from this practice. Ask God how you might respond or what awareness you might take from this time of prayer.
Journal anything that seems relevant or if nothing seems significant ask God to give revelation in the future.


Mixed media artist, Diane layers found pieces of paper to illustrate moment in time, simple reflections, and messages of hope.
See more of Diane's work at www.dianeelybinder.com
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Meditation on Hope 
by Angie Ring​

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
Romans 15:13 NIV

Recently I was taking my trash cans from my backyard into my front yard by the street so they could be picked up the next morning. As I was dragging the cans through my yard, I found myself grumbling “nothing’s ever going to change! I’m going to be taking these same garbage cans through the same yard in ten years!”.
You see, my husband and I had been praying about a move across the country for about the last year, and our discernment process felt like it was taking forever! I’m not patient by nature, so anytime I have to wait more than three minute, that’s way too long by my estimation. I had reached a place of hopelessness over the process, as became obvious through my grumbling. Because I had turned my eyes from Jesus that day, and focused on my my own impatience, hopelessness set in.
Romans 15:13 gives us a model for hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace AS you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” AS we trust in God, he fills us with joy and peace so that we my OVERFLOW with hope. the key here is trust. When we trust in God, he fills us to overflowing with hope. When we trust in god, we stop dwelling on ourselves and we dwell on the things of the spirit.
Ask God to reveal to you any areas you’ve lost hope in your life.
Now ask him to fill you with overflowing hope in those areas.




​Angie Ring is a Vineyard Pastor, Church Planter and Spiritual Director.
​Angie currently lives in Marion Ohio with her Husband, two children,
​and precious two year old Grandson.
Her contact info is [email protected]


All works in this series are the private property of the artist or writer.
All work in the series "2021 Advent Artist Series" is copyrighted by Art and Soul Ministries.​