Contemplative Prayer Stations

This worship station allows participants to worship God in an unconventional manner. Using physical postures to worship God.
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Directions for leadership:
Originally this station was meant to be used in tandem with other wordless worship station, forming an entire hour long service, but it can also be used individually.

Set up an area with mats and make it so people begin at one mat and end by the journal.

What you need:
Mats - or rugs or squares of carpet….
Small table and chair for the journal and pen…
journal and pen
Directions found below

Place by each mat a set of directions (found below). At the end place a community journal with a pen. Make sure you make it clear that there is a definite place to begin and end.
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Directions at each mat:

Mat #1 - kneeling 2 Chronicles 6:13ff., Acts 9:40ff; Philippians 2:9-11
Spend as much time here as you like before moving to another mat. Carefully move into the described position. What comes to mind when you do this? What memories or feelings does it trigger? If God were standing in front of you, what would you being saying to him with your posture? In what way do you think God is worshiped through this posture?

Mat # 2 - prostate on the ground Joshua 5:14; Mt. 26:39.
Spend as much time here as you like before moving to another mat. Carefully move into the described position. What comes to mind when you do this? What memories or feelings does it trigger? If God were standing in front of you, what would you being saying to him with your posture? In what way do you think God is worshiped through this posture?

Mat # 3 standing with arms raised above your head 1 Kings 8:22ff; Mark 11:25
Spend as much time here as you like before moving to another mat. Carefully move into the described position. What comes to mind when you do this? What memories or feelings does it trigger? If God were standing in front of you, what would you being saying to him with your posture? In what way do you think God is worshiped through this posture?

Mat # 4 standing with arms stretched out in front of you, palms up as if giving or receiving
Spend as much time here as you like before moving to another mat. Carefully move into the described position. What comes to mind when you do this? What memories or feelings does it trigger? If God were standing in front of you, what would you being saying to him with your posture? In what way do you think God is worshiped through this posture?

Mat # 5 standing, arms at side, and bowing every few seconds
Spend as much time here as you like before moving to another mat. Carefully move into the described position. What comes to mind when you do this? What memories or feelings does it trigger? If God were standing in front of you, what would you being saying to him with your posture? In what way do you think God is worshiped through this posture?

Mat # 6 sitting cross legged, arms in your lap or on your knees
Spend as much time here as you like before moving to another mat. Carefully move into the described position. What comes to mind when you do this? What memories or feelings does it trigger? If God were standing in front of you, what would you being saying to him with your posture? In what way do you think God is worshiped through this posture?

Mat # 7 laying on your back, knees up and arms behind head (as if in a hamock)
Spend as much time here as you like before moving to another mat. Carefully move into the described position. What comes to mind when you do this? What memories or feelings does it trigger? If God were standing in front of you, what would you being saying to him with your posture? In what way do you think God is worshiped through this posture?

Mat #8 Sign of the Cross Prayer. Make the sign of the cross either of your forehead or from your forehead to your tummy to your two shoulders (Eastern Christians touch the right shoulder first, then the left. Western Christians start with the left and move to the right shoulder.
There is no right or wrong way to cross yourself). The Cross Prayer + “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,” reminds us that we are claimed by God through our baptism. Another variation is to repeat Galatians 2:19-20, “I am crucified with Christ, therefore I no longer live. Jesus Christ now lives in me.”

Directions for next to Journal:
To finish, write any thoughts you had about this experience. You may sign it only if you want to.