Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. . . [God] handed out gifts above and below . . . [God] handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.(Ephesians 4.7, 11-13, The Message)
Recently, I was a part of planning a gathering called the Six Agency Leadership Initiative Consultation for the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. It was a consultation where 30 participants gathered to have conversations about leadership in the 21st century and a representative from six of the General Assembly agencies (Presbyterian Investment and Loan Program, General Assembly Mission Council, Presbyterian Foundation, Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Publishing, and Board of Pensions) came to listen. As a part of the gathering, worship was an integral part. On the last night, we spent time praying for each other and for the leadership of today and tomorrow.
I set up three interactive prayer stations, giving opportunity to reflect on our God-given gifts as leaders, our commitment as Presbyterians, and our call as Christ’s followers. You can see more pictures here.
Interactive Prayer Station #1:
Materials: Pillar Candles, Glass Hurricane Candle Holders, Stained Glass Plastic Film (Home Depot), Permanent Markers
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5.14-16)
As you reflect on your own qualities as a leader, what quality or qualities would you like to shine before others? In what way do you desire to shine to those around you?
Write that quality or qualities on a stained glass film, peel the backing, and adhere it to the glass of the candleholder.
take time to let this settle into you now . . . invite God to place this in your faith journey.
Interactive Prayer Station #2:
Materials: 3″ Origami Paper, Newsprint, Permanent Markers
Making Origami 3D crosses: For each cross, you need 26 folded parallelograms. Then you connect them together to form a cross. Instructions can be seen here.
Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. . . [God] handed out gifts above and below . . . [God] handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. (Ephesians 4.7, 11-13, The Message)
Consider your gifts and how you use your God-given gifts in your life and your ministry. What gifts do you value? What gifts have come naturally and what have been faithfully learned?
Take a stained glass origami cross as a reminder of Christ’s generous gift. In it’s place, draw a cross & decorate it being fully inspired by the gifts you have generously received.
take time to let this settle into you now . . . invite God to place this in your faith journey.
Interactive Prayer Station #3:
Materials: Magic Color Scratch Paper Chain Links
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized byone Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. (1 Corinthians 12.12-14)
As brothers and sisters in Christ and as Presbyterians, we value being connectional. We value discernment and living out Christ’s call in community and not in solitude.
Reflect on your own connection with Christ, your community, your inner circle, and the world around you. Write one word on a black chain link using a wooden scratcher that symbolizes what connects you with others. Peel off the paper and link it to the chain.
take time to let this settle into you now . . . invite God to place this in your faith journey.
Still Waters 
I have never participated in an interactive prayer station before. But this sounds very interesting, and I can see that it will definitely be more helpful for people who are wired as more “hands-on” than contemplative.
Very creative, Theresa. I wonder, has such interactive prayers been done with children and/or people with intellectual disabilities?
Thanks Shiao,
Interesting that you pose that question. I began as a teacher for children with autism. So my background is taking concepts and making them hands on and concrete. This particular prayer station was at an executive gathering in our denomination, but in my own church, I have a station just for 2-4 year olds. The rest are designed to be intergenerational so that families can do them together.
If you view other posts on interactive prayer stations, you’ll see other examples of that.
Thanks Theresa. I browsed at the other posts. Great ideas. I am bookmarking it for future reference.
Blessings!
Thank you for your insightful and interesting article. I love the interactive prayer stations!
kerigee – Thanks! We do these fairly regularly at my church, so I’ll try posting new ones as well.
Love this idea, Theresa! Have modified it to use during interactive prayers with the MALT transitional ministry (interim) training next week. I will be using individual tea lights and ask them to consider the gifts they are bring to interim ministry. We will use the tea lights during our closing worship and then they will take their “light” back to their current ministry setting.
Hi Theresa,
I was looking for the “stained glass plastic film” at Home Depot and didn’t see it. Do you know where else it might be available?
I usually find in rolls near the section where you purchase blinds, curtains, windows. They are usually in a bin at the end of an aisle. Hope that helps. Good luck!