Episodes
"Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul... It is better in prayer to have a heart without words than words without a heart."
— Mahatma Gandhi
This is a clip from Praying with Paul Gauguin’s “The Yellow Christ” as we Breathe the Calm, Find the Peace.
Have you longed for a simpler life, free from the chaos and noise? In Gauguin’s The Yellow Christ and in Colossians 1, we are invited to breathe in the calm and peace of Christ. This time of prayer offers a retreat into His presence — where peace becomes a gift we can carry back into daily life.
Colossians 1:19-20
What spiritual rhythms is God drawing you into today? In this Art and Prayer episode, Rev. Rob McPherson explores Hilma af Klint’s Altarpiece No. 1 (Group X), a profound visual journey through spiritual ascent and descent that mirrors the dance of faith.
Ephesians 4:5-10
This is a clip from Praying with Hilma af Klint’s “Altarpiece No. 1 Group X” under the theme “A Sacred Ascent and Descent”. The clip features the music: Deep Meditation – Grand_Project (Pixabay License)
What might the face of Christ reveal to you in silence? Rev. Rob McPherson and Father Peter Bistolarides reflect on the ancient icon Christ Pantocrator from St. Catherine’s Monastery, exploring its asymmetry and mystery. Philippians 2:5-11 frames this time of contemplative prayer, inviting viewers to encounter Christ in a deeply personal way.
Philippians 2:5-11
This is a clip from a contemplative prayer video on this historic icon.
What happens when faith meets doubt? Journey with Rev. Rob McPherson into Caravaggio’s The Incredulity of St. Thomas and the story of Thomas’ powerful encounter with the risen Christ. Discover how Christ’s peace breaks through fear and sends us forth renewed.
John 20:19-29
This clip is from the contemplative prayer video "Praying with Caravaggio's 'The Incredulity of St. Thomas".
How do you find peace when life feels overwhelming? Join Rev. Rob McPherson as he prays with Xu Jihua’s Wedding at Cana, exploring God’s presence in the midst of stress and transformation. What part of your life might God be inviting you to bring into this moment of prayer?
John 2:1-10
This is a clip from the contemplative prayer episode Praying with Xu Jihua's "Wedding at Cana".
Feeling weary from life’s demands? Join Rev. Rob McPherson in a contemplative prayer inspired by Loïs Mailou Jones’ Brother Brown, where rest and renewal meet. Discover how Jesus’ invitation to “come to me” offers peace for your soul today.
Matthew 11:28-30
This video is a clip from Praying with Loïs Mailou Jones' "Brother Brown."
How can a simple image like Praying Hands deepen your prayer life? Join Pastor Rob McPherson as we meditate on Albrecht Dürer’s iconic drawing, exploring the power of simplicity and physical posture in prayer. Experience a peaceful moment to claim scripture, listen for God’s voice, and be renewed.
Psalm 61:1-5
This is a clip from Praying with Albrecht Dürer's "The Praying Hands".
How can ancient icons open a window into your spiritual life? Join Pastor Rob McPherson as we explore Natalia Goncharova’s Four Evangelists, discovering how art can guide us to deeper wisdom and union with God. Experience a quiet prayer time inviting revelation and the light of God’s presence.
Ephesians 1:17-19
A clip from Praying with Natalia Goncharova's "The Four Evangelists"
How might pausing throughout the day to recognize God’s presence transform your experience of everyday moments? Millet’s The Angelus invites viewers into a daily rhythm of prayerful pause, connecting ordinary work with sacred presence. The Angelus prayer calls for continual awareness of God’s incarnation and ongoing invitation into relationship.
The Angelus Prayer
A clip from Praying with Jean-François Millet's "The Angelus"
What is God inviting you to see or hear in this moment of sacred stillness? This intimate Nativity by Joseph Mulamba-Mandangi invites viewers to kneel in worship alongside Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, entering the quiet holiness of Christ’s birth. The painting and scripture together call us to see, know, and hear God’s presence in our lives.
Luke 2:6-7
The shepherds’ journey to witness Christ’s birth invites us to come and see God’s presence in our lives today. Through scripture and art, we explore what it means to adore and be with the vulnerable Christ. How might you recognize and respond to God’s invitation to “come and see” in your own spiritual journey?
Luke 2:8-20
Contemplative prayer calls for stillness amid life’s busyness, inviting a deeper awareness of God’s presence. Through scripture and a village scene painting, participants reflect on recognizing Christ in ordinary moments. How might you find space for quiet attentiveness to God amid your daily distractions?
Luke 2:1-5
What if prayer felt like the quiet embrace of a caring presence. This episode invites you to rest in Mary Cassatt’s tender Nurse and Child alongside Psalm 131, opening space for peace and trust. Step into stillness—and experience God’s nurturing love in the silence.
Psalm 131
This is a clip from Praying with Mary Cassatt's "Nurse and Child".
In a world of constant motion, can you make space to simply be with God? This contemplative session explores the story of Mary and Martha through scripture, prayerful stillness, and Vermeer’s luminous art. Come, sit at Jesus’s feet—and listen for what God might be whispering in the quiet.
Luke 10:38-41
This is a clip from Praying with Johannes Vermeer's "Jesus in the House of Mary and Martha".
Step into the wilderness with Christ—and discover the renewal solitude brings. Through scripture, silence, and the evocative painting Christ in the Wilderness, this session invites you to retreat from distraction and draw close to God. Let the quiet speak, and listen for how the Spirit meets you in stillness.
Mark 1:12-13
This video is a clip from Praying with Moretto Da Brescia's "Christ in the Wilderness".
What does it mean to truly see with the eyes of faith? This contemplative session blends scripture, stillness, and Bruegel’s haunting Parable of the Blind to awaken spiritual insight. Step into sacred silence—and discover where God might be guiding your gaze.
Matthew 15:12-14
— Mahatma Gandhi