He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave (Mark 6.41)

Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations that combines the calling of disciples and the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand with fishes and loaves. Interactive prayer stations don’t have to be overly complicated. Sometimes, the simpler the activity, the more impact they have on the participant. The interactive prayer stations are meant to be intergenerational. There are also stations designed for ages 2-4. (For more specific instructions on layout, purpose, design, and more ideas, you can view previous posts tagged under “Interactive Prayer Stations.”)

Interactive Prayer Station #1: Identify My Call as a Disciple

Materials: Bowl of Water, Different Size Marbles

We often find challenges to follow Jesus’ call:

I don’t have the time.

I don’t have the resources.

I’m uncomfortable reaching out.

I’m not sure where best I can help.

those people should be doing more for themselves.

and [note other areas, that you feel inhibit your call to serve]:

 Say a prayer to help overcome these areas. The Spirit can come to you through the ideas of a friend, family member, congregation member, pastor to provide an answer.

Take a marble & drop it anywhere in the bowl, noting how the ripples touch all sides, even those behind the obstacles. So it is with our serving, reaching far beyond the obvious.

Interactive Prayer Station #2: Recollect My Walk with Jesus

Materials: Paper, Pens, Basket

Write out some ways that you have already fed others?

Offer this as a prayer by putting it in the basket on the table, or take it with you as a reminder.

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Discover My Joy in Feeding Others

Materials: Basket of Different Types of Bread: Pita, Naan, Challah, Croissant, Rice Cakes, etc.

I am fed in the feeding, so what particular joys do I experience.

Offer a prayer of gratitude for those joys. As you depart eat a piece of bread as a reminder of that joy as you feed others.

Interactive Prayer Stations for Toddlers: Feeding 5000

Activity one: Bread is a staple food product. Feel and touch each stage of the making of bread.

Jar #1: Wheat is harvested and ground into flour. Put your hand in the jar and feel the seeds on the wheat stalk. How does it feel?

Jar #2: Flour is mixed with water and other ingredients to make dough. Put your hand in the jar and feel the grain of the flour. How does it feel?

Jar #3: The dough is shaped and baked to make bread. Put your hand in the jar and feel the texture of the dough. How does it feel?

Jar #4: The bread comes in many different flavors and textures. Put your hand in the jar and feel the different types of bread. How does it feel different from each other?

Materials: 4 Glass Jars, Wheat Stalks, Flour, Dough, Bread

Activity two: Jesus called the disciples “fishers of men.” Grab a fishing pole and see how many fish you can catch? Put your fish in the bucket.

Materials: Wooden Dowels, Ribbon, Magnets, Paper Clips, Foam Sheets cut in the shape of fishes, Bucket (I tied a ribbon to the dowel. On the other end of the ribbon, I attached a magnet. I put a paper clip on the foam fish. The object is to have the magnet touch the paper clip on the fish.)

Activity three:  Jesus fed over 5,000 people with a couple baskets of bread and fish. Jesus calls us to feed the hungry and share what we have as well. 1) Count 5 goldfish crackers and matza pieces. 2) Using a spoon, put them in a snack bag. 3) Find a person to give them to.

Materials: Plastic Snack Bags, Goldfish Crackers, Plastic Spoon, Matza Crackers, Labels to put on snack bags: “Just as Jesus fed the 5000, I am learning to share as well. Please take these “fish & bread” as a symbol of Christ’s love.” NOTE: This activity had to do with learning about the Harvest Program, which is my church’s food pantry that provides groceries for families in need in our neighborhood.