In the new resource Draw Close: A Creative Companion for Lent, author Rev. Stephanie Dunn invites people of all artistic levels into a prayerful and playful new spiritual practice to connect more deeply with God. Each day, she offers a Lenten word prompt and brief meditation to ponder, followed by a blank page to respond in whatever way they choose — sketching, coloring, painting, journaling, or more.
As you consider fresh ways to guide your congregation deeper into God’s presence this Lent, here are five meaningful ways to incorporate Draw Close into your community’s spiritual journey.
Use Draw Close as the foundation for a Lenten sermon series that invites your congregation into a more imaginative, reflective engagement with Scripture. Choose from the daily prompts or weekly texts, many of which align with the lectionary, to shape your message. To encourage deeper participation, invite the congregation into five minutes of sacred silence after your sermon, allowing them to reflect, pray, or respond creatively on paper — through writing, sketching, or even color meditation — as a form of spiritual expression.
Encourage the formation of small Lenten groups, or enrich existing ones, using Draw Close as a guide for weekly gatherings. The included small group guide provides a structured yet flexible way to engage with the readings, reflections, and creative practices. Challenge participants to step outside their comfort zones and embrace art, poetry, journaling, or contemplative sketching as a new way of praying and processing faith. This shared practice can deepen connections within the group and create a sense of communal spiritual exploration.
Encourage every member of your congregation to embark on a personal spiritual journey with Draw Close. This devotional isn’t just about reading — it’s about experiencing God through creativity. Whether through writing, doodling, watercolor, or quiet contemplation, this resource provides a daily rhythm of prayer and artistic expression, guiding individuals to a more intimate and personal encounter with God throughout Lent. Consider sharing testimonies from those who are using it to inspire others to engage in the practice.
Lent is a season for the whole church to journey together, from children to elders. Invite kids, youth, and adults to explore Draw Close in their own ways, then create a space for them to share their reflections with the larger community. Whether through visual art, journaling, poetry, spoken word, or even song, these expressions become offerings of faith — a collective witness to how God is moving in each life. Consider hosting a Lenten reflection night where people can share what they’ve created as an act of communal worship.
Transform your church space into a living, breathing Lenten reflection by setting up a collaborative art installation where everyone can contribute throughout the season. Whether it’s a ribbon-weaving station, a community-painted mural, a mosaic, or a prayer wall filled with sketches and words, this shared act of creation allows each person to offer their unique prayers and reflections as part of a larger, collective expression of faith. By Easter, the final piece will stand as a beautiful testimony to the ways God has spoken through this creative Lenten journey.
Order your copies of Draw Close today and take a creative journey with your community this Lent!
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