¹ When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. (Acts 2.1-4)

Pentecost provides a lot of wonderful images to center interactive prayer stations around: birthday, fire, breath, and wind – just to name a few. Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on how the spirit strengthens us through renewal, hope, and guidance. The interactive prayer stations are meant to be intergenerational. There are also stations designed for kids. (For more specific instructions on layout, purpose, design, and more ideas, you can view previous posts tagged under “Interactive Prayer Stations.”) You can view more pictures here.

Interactive Prayer Station #1: Question

Materials: Pens, Basket, White Cloth, Copies of Mark 4.35-41 and John 3.1-17

Look at one or more of these texts for our upcoming Sundays. Write any questions you have as to the Holy Spirit’s desire in the text for you and your life of faith. Place it in the offering basket as a gift to God, aware that God honors your questions and bewilderment about whether the words of scripture can make a difference for you.

Now, allow this to become part of you . . . let God add this to your faith journey.

Interactive Prayer Station #2: Wonder 

Materials: Sharpies, Pictures of Fire

The Holy Spirit comes to all of us in a variety of languages. How would you describe your language – the language that the Spirit uses to communicate with and through you? Take time to wonder about your own unique lingo, due to your age, gender, occupation, sexual orientation, ethnicity, birth order, privilege, abuse and other experience. Draw a symbol representing your language on a piece of flame and place it as part of the total, bewildering, unifying language of the Spirit.

Now, take a moment to let this settle into you . . . let God connect this for you.

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Receive

Materials: Candle

The Holy Spirit calls us to move out into the world and people’s lives in the midst of risk, confusion, unsettled-ness. Our spiritual lives are meant to be a bewildering pilgrimage, where the dangerous place is the place where we depend more upon God than ourselves. Where are those places for you these days? How do you receive the Holy Spirit’s call to respond? Pray that the Spirit’s fire will nurture you to receive what God desires for you.

spirit: maker of chaos

resister of order

she who takes on the world – breathe.

wreak havoc in complacency

upturn smugness and self-satisfaction

defy authorities that deflate

challenge all powers that squeeze the hope out of your people

and your church

and breath life back in

to a world gasping.

breathe, spirit.

breathe.

Now, reflect on the significance of this . . . let God weave this into your heart.

Interactive Prayer Stations for Toddlers & Kids:

The chancel area was decorated like a birthday party to house the interactive prayer stations. The stations were centered on the senses.

Activity One: In some Christian tradition, churches use rose petals to remind them of Pentecost. The smell of rose petals is a symbol of the Holy Spirit filling us afresh. Take a moment to smell the roses, letting the smell refresh you. You may do a quick spray of the air freshner to smell the scent of flowers.

Materials: Basket, Rose Petals, Air Freshner

Activity two: Pentecost is the birth of the church. Just like when you have a birthday, we celebrate the church’s birthday at Pentecost. 1) Choose a cupcake to decorate; 2) Using frosting and sprinkles, decorate your cupcake how you wish. What is church? What do you like about church?

Materials: Cupcakes, Plastic Knives, Frosting, Sprinkles, Tablecloth, Bowls

Activity three: 

For ages 2-4: 1) Take a strip of paper; 2) cut on the line of the paper; 3) Fold one side of the slit to the front and the other to the back; 4) Place a paper clip in the middle of the spinner; 5) throw the spinner with the flick of the wrist and watch it spiral down. (Here are detailed directions.)

For K-5th grade: (Watch the video for detailed instructions on making spinners out of straws.)

Materials: Paper cut in strips 2″x6″, Scissors, Paper Clips, Fat Straws, Skinny Straws, Tape

Activity four: Fire is a symbol of Pentecost. Fire reminds us of the coming of the Holy Spirit. 1) Take a moment to feel the “fire” in the fireplace; 2) Decorate a fan by drawing a symbol of Pentecost: dove, fire, wind, birthday, Holy Spirit; 3) Use the fan to remind you that even though you can’t see the Spirit, you can feel the Spirit.

Materials: Electric Fan, Red Tissue Paper, (I turned the pulpit into a fireplace), Materials to make a paper fan, Markers