Teach us to pray

Here are ideas for leading children and youth in prayer:

Building block prayer: Use a stack of children’s building blocks. Place one block on the table proclaiming Christ as the cornerstone of our faith. Invite each person to add one block as a petition is spoken. The finished structure will look differently each time but is always firmly grounded in God’s love.

Cube prayers: On a wooden block or small square cardboard box, draw or stamp a different symbol on each of the six sides. Each person takes a turn at rolling the cube and offers a prayer according to the symbol on top.

Hand-squeeze prayer: Hold hands in a circle, with your eyes closed. Someone begins with the first petition. When the person in done, he/she squeezes the hand of the next person and so on around the circle

Paper-towel prayer: Each child is given a roll of paper towels and asked to write a person’s name or a personal prayer concern on each sheet. Re-roll. Each day tear off one sheet and lift up prayers for that particular concern or person.

Web prayer: Begin by holding a ball of yarn or string and then offer a sentence prayer. Hold on to the end and toss the ball across the circle. The person who catches the ball offers a prayer, holds on to the string and then tosses the ball to someone else. This continues until all have participated. Close by thanking God for the connected faith community.