“Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” (Luke 11.1)

The topic and practice of prayer is a great opportunity to explore different types of prayer. The week leading up to this Sunday on Prayer, I left chalk in front of the church, inviting passersby to chalk their prayers and blessings on the sidewalk. It is a simple way to invite the neighborhood and community to participate in prayer.

During the sermon, I invited the kids to color a mandala. Mandalas can be colored in community as a meditative prayer. Below is the mandala they colored during worship.

Below are ideas for interactive prayer stations focusing on prayer. The stations center around ACTS (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication). The interactive prayer stations are meant to be intergenerational.  (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: Adoration

Materials: Printed Taize music (or any other songs of choice)

“Be glad in the Lord always! Again I say, be glad!” (Philippians 4.4 CEB)

The act of singing is a natural way to praise God. Singing connects our heart and mind.

Taize songs are repetitive short songs that are meant to be prayerfully sung.

As the Taize songs (printed in the bulletin) are played, sing along. Notice in yourself any feelings as you sing. Let your singing be your song of praise.

Interactive Prayer Station #2: Confession 

Materials: Long Rope, Beads (White, Green, Purple, Red, Clear, Gold, Black, Brown, Yellow, Orange, Blue), String, Scissors)

“Create a clean heart for me, God; put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!” (Psalm 51.10 CEB)

Choose a rope. As you hold the rope in your hand, consider what you seek forgiveness for. As these come to mind, make a knot in your rope. Continue this process until you have 4-5 knots in your rope.

Go back to the first knot, holding the confession that knot represents. Hear God’s assurance that you are forgiven. You are loved. Continue the process for each knot.

Take your prayer knots home as a reminder that you are forgiven.

For Kids:

Make a LORD’S PRAYER BRACELET:

(I can’t remember where I found this. I did not create or design this project.)

Take a rope and string beads in the order of the prayer below. Take home this prayer sheet and use the bracelet to learn the Lord’s Prayer.

Our Father (Mother, Parent)

Black Bead (God who created all things out of void)

Who is in Heaven

Blue Bead (color of sky)

Holy is your name

Green Bead (enduring, everlasting color like pine trees)

Your kingdom come

Purple Bead (Royal color)

Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven

Brown Bead (Color of the earth)

Give us today our daily bread

Yellow Bead (Color of grain)

 Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us

White Bead (“Create in me a clean heart” – Psalm 51)

Lead us not into temptation

Clear Bead (Clarity like a reflection in the mirror, seeing image of God)

But deliver us from evil

Gold Bead (God’s light shines through)

For yours is the kingdom, and the power

Red Bead (Color symbolizes power)

And the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Orange Bead (Dominant color in a glorious sunset that reminds us of the glory of God.)

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Thanksgiving

Materials: Paper for Journals, Ribbon or String, Stamps, Stamp Pads, Scissors

“Give thanks to the Lord because he is good, because his faithful love lasts forever!” (Psalm 107.1 CEB)

Dr. Daniel Amen, a physician specializing in brain patterns, says that gratitude is a natural anti-depressant. By writing down three things we are thankful for daily, our levels of happiness increases.

Make a prayer journal using the supplies given. During this week, write 3 things you are grateful for each day. Notice how you feel throughout this week and write down on the last page any reflections on your experience.

Interactive Prayer Station #4: Supplication

Materials: Candles

“Don’t be anxious about anything; rather, bring up all of your requests to God in your prayers and petitions, along with giving thanks.” (Philippians 4.6 CEB)

Take a moment to pause in silence. Feel God’s presence with you. What prayers do you have for God? Who is on your heart to pray for?

Light a candle or candles as a symbol that Christ’s light shines around you and hears your prayers.