Interactive Prayer Stations for Lent, Week 2: I am the Light of the World

Week 2: "I am the Light of the World"

"Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12

"The Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud by day, to lead them along the way, and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light, so that they might travel by day and by night.  Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people." Exodus 13:21-22

Interactive Prayer Station #1: Prayers of Confession

"The people who walk in darkness

have seen a great light."

Sometimes there are things that we are ashamed of, mistakes that we have made, and things that we regret.  These things feel like darkness.  Spend some time talking with God about some of your mistakes and regrets, and ask for God’s help and forgiveness.

On their journey through the wilderness, God did not leave the Israelites burdened by darkness or regret.  Instead God gave them pillars of cloud and fire to guide their way into a new life.  Create your own pillar of fire or cloud as you think about God’s love, forgiveness, and guidance that transforms our sin and lights our way.

Materials: 

• Tissue paper (red, yellow, orange, white) 
• Cotton balls (for clouds) 
• Glue 
• Plastic for floor 
• Plates or Cardboard to build on 
• Markers 
• Construction paper (red, yellow, orange, white) 
• Cardboard Tubes 
• Any other crafty things that would be helpful for pillars of cloud and fire

Interactive Prayer Station #2: Prayers of Petition and of Intercession

“I am the Light of the World”

Take a light.  Think about all of the times you turn on lights or use lights... in your car, house, even outside at night.  Thank God for all of the light in your life, for the ability to have electricity and light to brighten the darkness. Turn on the light as you think about people throughout the world who need light in their life. 

Place the light on the table and notice all of the other lights. 

Listen as God tells you ways you can share the light of God's love with others.

"I will make you a light to the nations."

Isaiah 49:6

 Materials: 

• Tea lights 
• Globe 
• Square table
• Markers 
• Construction paper (red, yellow, orange, white) 
• Cardboard Tubes
• Any other crafty things that would be helpful for pillars of cloud and fire

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Prayers of Offering and Dedication

Just as God sent us Jesus to show us the way and give us hope, we too are called to share light with others when things feel dark.  Take a sun, moon, or star.  On one side, write or draw ways God has been with you in hard times.  On the other side, draw or write one way you would like to help someone this week.  Once you are done, place them in the basket.

Materials: 

• Sun, moon, and star cards
• Basket
• Crayons/markers

Interactive Prayer Station #4: A Place to Listen to God

When asked about how she prayed, Mother Teresa replied, "I sit with God and listen. " When asked what God does, she replied, "he listens too. "

Here is a good place to join God in listening… to the story… to the needs of the world… to the desires of your heart.

• You may wish to experiment with light.  Turn on the flashlight.  Try to cover the light.  Can you hide the light?  It is really hard to hide light, especially in darkness.  Now try to shine the light around you.  As you do this, give thanks for the gift of Jesus and the gift of light.
• You may wish to tell the story again with the figures or materials.
•  You may wish to read the story again from one of the story Bibles.
•   You may wish to hold one of the crosses and quietly listen for God as you breathe in and out slowly.

Materials:

• story Bibles marked at the story page 
• Godly play figures, desert box 
• story quilt 
• crosses to hold 
• purple cloths and pillows 
• flash lights

Interactive Prayer Station #5: A Way to Listen to God: Coloring Prayer

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.”

Draw a circle around the words, "I am... the light of the world."

Color the circle in and think about the ways that Jesus has been light to you.  Where have you seen the light of Jesus in others?

Add circles or shapes or maybe rays of light to your page.  Write words of people or things that bring light to your life and thank God for these things.

Write words of people or things that need God's light and pray for these things.  As you draw and color, watch for the ways God is directing you to bring the light of God's love to these people and these situations.

    Materials:

• cards at each table
• Markers/Crayons
• Paper with center circle that says, "Light of the World"

Interactive Prayer Stations for Lent 2014: I am the Bread of Life

Who do you say that I am?

Throughout the weeks of Lent, the Families at Five service is thinking about the different “I am” statements of Jesus.  The service meets regularly in the chapel for a short thirty minute child-friendly service each week.  However, we wanted Lent to be different.  During the six weeks of Lent, we will discover through prayer stations who Jesus says that he is.  It is my hope that I will be able to chronicle our discoveries and explorations each week!
Who does Jesus say he is?  Jesus says that he is: “the bread of life,” “the light of the world,” “the gate,” “the good shepherd,” “the true vine,” “the way, truth, and life,” and ultimately “the resurrection.”  It is through our knowledge of Jesus, that we learn more about who we are as children of God.  Through this journey of discovering who Jesus says he is, we will worship using our entire selves.

Week 1: "I am the Bread of Life"

"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." John 6:35

"Then the Lord said to Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you, and each day the people shall go out and gather enough for that day." Exodus 16:4

Interactive Prayer Station #1: Kneading Through Our Sin (Prayers of Confession)

Jesus is the bread of life.  Bread takes a long time to make. It requires flour, yeast, water, and lots of kneading!  Just like dough, we are being shaped and formed my God.

Take a piece of dough as you tell God about your struggles and ways you would like to be changed and formed by God.  Work the dough in your hands.  Knead it as you talk to God.  Create a shape with the dough that reflects God’s love for you.  Place it in the basket.  After kneading the dough, clean your hands off in the bucket of water.  Receive God’s forgiveness and know you are being shaped and formed by God.

Materials:

·         Dough

·         Plastic for floor

·         Place for dough after done (basket?)

·         Bucket of water

·         Towel

·      

Interactive Prayer Station #2: “I am the Bread of Life,"  “Give us Each Day our Daily Bread” (Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession)

Take a piece of bread. What does it feel like in your hand? What does it smell like? Eat it slowly. What does it taste like? What does it mean that Jesus is the bread of life? Thank God for good food to eat, each day that gives us life.

Take another piece of bread.  Hold it in your hand and remember those are hungry, whose parents cannot or do not give them good things to eat.  As you place this piece of bread in the basket in front of the globe, ask God to give bread for this day to those who are hungry.   Listen as God tells you ways you can help to make sure that everyone has their daily bread.

"God is great God is good let us thank Him for our food by his hands we all are fed, give us Lord our daily bread."  

Materials:

·         bread

·         globe

·         3 baskets

·         

Interactive Prayer Station #3: Manna from Heaven (Prayers of Offering)

Just as God sent us manna for the Israelites to eat in the desert, so we have been given so many good things to eat and amazing gifts.  Take a piece of manna.  Draw or write things that you are grateful for and gifts you have been given.  Once you are done, place them in the basket.

Materials:

·         Manna cards

·         Basket

·         Crayons/markers

Interactive Prayer Station #4: A Way to Listen to God: A Coloring Prayer

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” 

What does this mean to you? 

How does bread help us?  Why do you think Jesus called himself bread?  When was the last time you ate bread?

Use one of the cards to draw what comes to your mind when you think of Bread of Life.  Use this quiet coloring time to listen to God and to tell God what is on your mind.

Materials:

·         Cards at each table

·         Markers/Crayons

·         Paper with center circle that says, “Bread of Life”

Interactive Prayer Station #5: A Place to Listen to God

·  When asked about how she prayed, Mother Teresa replied, "I sit with God and listen. " When asked what God does, she replied, "God listens too. "

Here is a good place to join God in listening… to the story… to the needs of the world… to the desires of your heart.

• ·       You may wish to tell the story again with the figures or materials.
•         You may wish to read the story again from one of the story Bibles.
•         You may wish to hold one of the crosses and quietly listen for God as you breathe in and out slowly.