July-August 2025 - Christ Calms the Sea

Visio divina* invites us to encounter the Divine through prayerful consideration of and interaction with an image. Follow the steps below to include a few moments of divine seeing in your devotional time.

1. Look at Christ Calms the Sea on the cover of this issue of The Upper Room 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. Breathe slowly and deeply as you gaze at that part of the image for a minute or so.
2. Take time to gaze at every part of the image — the colors, the movement, the textures, the story being presented. Reflect on the image for a minute or so.
3. Consider the following questions:

• What emotions does this image evoke in you? 
• How does this image differ from or align with your visualization of this Bible story? 
• What new insights to the story of Christ calming the sea does Tressler’s interpretation reveal to you? 
• What prayers take form in you after reflecting on this image? Write them down or offer them to God.

*For more on visio divina, visit https://www.upperroom.org/resources/visio-divina

Cover image courtesy of Ina Tressler. ©Ina Tressler. Prints of cover art available from itressler-arts@yahoo.com.