This contemplative prayer station uses rocks and water as a tactile way to forgive another person.

Directions for Leadership:

You will need a large pile of fist size river rock or smooth stones, washable markers, a large bucket/bowl of water and some towels.  If anticipating more than one person at the station at a time make sure to have more buckets of water set up, as this station is very personal. Also remember to take out the lighter colored markers that won’t show up when writing on gray rock.

Prayer Station Instructions:

“But I (Jesus) say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who you hate, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  – Luke 6:27 & 28

Meditate on the above verses out of scripture and as you do ponder who some of the people you consider “enemies” are.  When a name (or “names”) pop into your head, pick up a stone and use one of the markers to print the person’s initials on the stone.

While holding the stone in your hand, say a “prayer of blessing” for the person you wrote down.  After the prayer, wash the stone in the water and allow God to wash away the grudge you hold against that person as the water washes the ink off.  If you are able to set in motion the blessing for the person you prayed for, take the stone home with you to remember to do so, otherwise just put your clean stone back into the pile.