Prayer Wreath : prayers for the church
Materials Needed: Large grapevine wreath (at least 24 inches wide)
Ribbons of different colors, textures, and widths.
Assignment: Each member of your
group is to think of a prayer for your congregation for this coming school
year. How might God bless your congregation? Find a ribbon which seems to
fit the prayer. Each person in your group is asked to tie a ribbon on the
wreath. Optional: As you tie the ribbon on the wreath, share your prayer
with your group.
Follow-up: Present the wreath in
worship as part of the prayers of the church. After worship, hang your
prayer wreath in a prominent place in the church so all might see and
remember to hold your congregation in prayer.
Prayer Hands: prayers for your family
Materials Needed: Construction paper, Scissors, Pens, pencils,
crayons
Assignment: Allow someone in your
group to trace your hand out of construction paper. (Do not be tempted to
trace your hand.) Once your hand has been traced, cut it out of the paper.
Write your own name in the palm of your cut-out hand. When everyone has cut
his or her hand from the paper, have your group find a quiet place to sit.
Be sure to have pens or crayons with you. Gather your group together. Pass
your cut-out hand around to others in your group. The group takes time to
name positive things about each person and write down key words in each of
the fingers of the hand of that person. (Sample: loving, joyful, kind, etc.)
This is a wonderful way for people, especially family members, to affirm
each other. Take your hand home. You are a blessing!
Classroom Blessing: prayers for faith
Materials needed: Map of your church, especially Sunday School rooms;
Candle and matches (optional)
Assignment: Walk into the different
classrooms being used for learning in your church building during the coming
year. Offer a prayer in each room. If you want, take a lit candle to each
room and stop for prayer.
Sample Prayer: Gracious God, may the
light and love of Christ bless each person who enters this room. Amen.
Prayer Chains: prayers for the world
Materials Needed: 1 ½ inch paper strips: use white (or pastel) typing
paper; Pens, pencils or crayons; Stapler or tape
Assignment: Write down prayer
petition on strips of paper. (Use one paper per petition.) Create a paper
chain by joining the individual prayer petitions together. Connect all the
chains together in a long paper chain.
Follow-up: Bring the prayer chain
into worship as a procession during the opening hymn. Adorn your sanctuary
with the prayers of the people.
Pretzels: prayers for those in need
Materials Needed: pretzels, drinks
Assignment: Before you eat your
snack of pretzels, notice how the pretzel resembles someone who has crossed
his or her arms. Make a similar shape by hugging yourself. Remember in
prayer those who are in need in the world; the hungry, sick, lonely, etc.
After your prayer, enjoy your snack.
Rally Day: A Call to Prayer