I did not agree with author Anita Diamant's version of certain events in the Bible.

When I first read it years ago, I did not really like it. My first experience reading a Biblical novel was The Red Tent, a tale about Dinah, Jacob's only daughter. The words in my Bible come alive with attitude and personality.Īnother aid to praying and meditating on Scriptures has been one of my new-found favorite genres of books: Biblical novels. Jesus, the Apostles, Our Lady, and Mary Magdalene have taken on more personality and even humanity, becoming more relatable to me. In all honesty, watching The Chosen has greatly aided my prayer life. Using your imagination this way can really enhance your prayer life and open you up to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This method suggests that after reading a Scripture passage, to reread it and place oneself in the story-either as a bystander or as a person in the narrative. Lectio Divina is a popular and fruitful form of private prayer. Imagination, I dare say, is also important in one’s prayer life. After all, some days, in certain moments, it is quite necessary to be able to imagine oneself on a deserted island sitting on a beautiful beach with nothing but a good book. The lack of imagination is a hindrance in life, really. I suppose imagination is something most adults lose as we are thrown into the practical ins and outs of everyday life. As I have gotten older, I have lost some of my imaginative powers. Usually, it is just a temporary loss (my sanity included). Some days I even feel as if I am losing my sanity. The older I get, the more I lose – my keys, my cell phone, a credit card, the post-it note with my grocery list. Kelly Guest suggests reading Biblical novels as a way to enhance your prayer life.

Martha by Diana Wallis Taylor