Is Zentangle Biblical? How God Can Meet You in a Simple Doodle
Is Zentangle Biblical? How God Can Meet You in a Simple Doodle
By Bev Jessup
Why This Question Matters
“Is Zentangle godly? Could it be unbiblical or even occult?”
Those are the kinds of questions I began receiving after running a creative workshop I’d casually called Zentangle Prayer Doodles.
To me, Zentangle simply meant structured doodling. But some Christians worried that the name hinted at Zen Buddhism or New Age spirituality. Their concern made me pause. I prayed, researched, and asked God directly. What I discovered may help you, too—especially if you long to create with God but want to stay true to Scripture.
1. What Zentangle Actually Is—And Isn’t
The Zentangle Method was developed in 2003 by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. They describe it as “an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns.”[1]
No religious teaching. The founders emphasise that Zentangle is non-representational and non-religious. The word “Zen” was chosen to suggest calm, not to connect with Buddhism.
Proven mental-health benefits. Studies published in journals such as Art Therapy (2018) and Frontiers in Psychology (2021) show that repetitive mark-making lowers stress, heart rate, and anxiety.
A creative mindfulness tool. Some secular practitioners call it “mindfulness,” but that term simply refers to focused attention. Christians have long practised holy attentiveness—Brother Lawrence’s “practising the presence of God” in the 1600s is one example.
In other words, Zentangle is a drawing technique, not a belief system. The label can sound mystical, but the activity itself is neutral.
2. Testing Everything by Scripture
Still, neutrality isn’t enough. As followers of Jesus we’re told to “test everything; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). So I brought it to prayer.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
— Matthew 6:26
One morning, while doodling a bird, this verse came alive. The Spirit whispered: “Don’t worry. I care for the birds and I care even more for you.”
My drawing turned into prayer.
This experience reminded me of how God speaks:
Through His Word (Psalm 119:105)
Through His Spirit’s peace (Philippians 4:7)
Through quiet nudges or visions (Acts 2:17)
Through other believers (Proverbs 27:17)
Art—like music or poetry—can simply be another doorway for the Holy Spirit to illuminate Scripture.
3. Creativity as a Biblical Calling
From Genesis 1, God reveals Himself as Creator and calls humans to create with Him:
“So God created mankind in his own image…male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27).
Bezalel, the first Spirit-filled artisan (Exodus 31:1–5), was given “skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts.”
The Psalms overflow with artistic expression—poetry, music, visual imagery—used for worship.
When we draw, paint, stitch, or build, we reflect the imago Dei. As Christian author Dorothy Sayers wrote, “The characteristic common to God and man is…the desire and ability to make things.”
4. Moving Past Fear of “Wrong” Creativity
Many women I coach confess: “I want to create, but I’m afraid it’s not spiritual enough.”
Let’s break that lie.
Perfection is not the goal. Only Jesus is perfect (Hebrews 12:2). Your sketchy line is worship when offered to Him.
Weakness isn’t failure. God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The point is presence, not product. As I often say, the masterpiece is the time with God, not the page.
So whether you call it Zentangle, doodling, or “prayer patterns,” what matters is inviting God into the process.
5. Science Confirms What Scripture Teaches
Interestingly, medical research echoes biblical wisdom about rest and focus:
Stress relief: The American Art Therapy Association notes that even 20 minutes of repetitive drawing lowers cortisol, the stress hormone.
Cognitive clarity: Neurologists find that pattern-based drawing activates the brain’s default mode network, linked to problem-solving and spiritual reflection.
Emotional processing: Studies in Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts (2020) show art-making helps people integrate grief, trauma, and anxiety—paralleling the biblical call to “cast all your anxiety on Him” (1 Peter 5:7).
Far from being “empty,” artful prayer is a way to love God with all our mind (Mark 12:30).
6. Try This: A Guided Prayer-Doodle Practice
Set aside 20 minutes with plain paper and a pen. Begin with a short prayer:
“Lord, I invite You into this time. Speak to me as I draw.”
Then choose one of these Scripture-based prompts:
PromptScriptureJournaling QuestionsBird of ProvisionMatthew 6:26Where am I worrying instead of trusting?Potter & ClayIsaiah 64:8What part of my life needs reshaping by God?River of PeaceJohn 7:38Where do I need His living water today?
Step 1: Slowly draw repeating shapes—circles, spirals, or simple tangles—while meditating on the verse.
Step 2: Pause if a word or image comes to mind. Sketch or write it inside the shapes.
Step 3: End by journaling a short prayer or insight.
Don’t strive for a picture-perfect result. The goal is an encounter, not a gallery piece.
7. A Personal Testimony
When I first sensed God asking me to combine creativity with ministry, I hesitated. Could a sketchbook really help women grow spiritually? Yet over and over, He confirmed the call.
Now, whether I’m working with watercolours, collage, or simple black ink patterns, my quiet times feel alive. I often share things with God I’ve never shared with anyone else. In those early hours, He invites me to experiment:
“Let’s try oil pastels today. Don’t fear mistakes—I’m here.”
Through that playful process He’s taught me perseverance, freedom from perfectionism, and deep joy in His presence.
8. For Those Still Hesitant
Maybe you’re still uneasy. Here are some practical guardrails:
Pray first. Begin every session by inviting the Holy Spirit (Psalm 143:10).
Stay rooted in Scripture. Let a Bible passage guide your drawing.
Discern the fruit. Does the practice lead to love, joy, peace (Galatians 5:22)? If yes, it’s safe ground.
The enemy counterfeits good gifts, but he cannot create. When we dedicate our creativity to Jesus, we reclaim art for the Kingdom.
9. Journal Your Journey
As you explore prayerful doodling, consider these deeper reflection questions:
When have I felt closest to God while creating?
What fears about “getting it wrong” still hold me back?
How might I use art to bless someone else this week?
Write freely. Add sketches, colours, or collage pieces. Your journal is a dialogue with God, not a rulebook.
10. Step Into a Creative, Prayerful Life
Friend, God delights in spending time with you. He is not waiting for a perfect canvas—only for an open heart. Whether you knit, paint, tangle, or tear paper for collage, your creativity can become communion.
If you’d like ongoing guidance and community, join me inside The Creative Sanctuary—a global group of women discovering how art journaling, doodling, and Scripture weave together into daily friendship with God. Inside you’ll find:
Weekly creative prompts
Faith-filled art tutorials
Live gatherings and replays
A safe, encouraging space to share your journey
👉 Click here to join The Creative Sanctuary
Closing Encouragement
“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:17
Zentangle—or simple doodling—can be one more way to do whatever you do in Jesus’ name. So pick up that pen, open your Bible, and invite the Creator of the universe to meet you in every gentle line.
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