Contemplative Prayer Stations

This contemplative prayer station is great because the end result are flowers that grow every spring and serve as a visual reminder over the years.
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Directions for Leadership:

Set up a table that has little pieces of paper, writing utensils and a basket of bulbs ready for planting. Have the directions placed in an obvious spot, arrows on the floor for people to follow out side to the planting area, and another set of directions. Make sure the planting area in ready to go, the earth soft, watering cans full, trowls scattered around, a basket with popcycle sticks (or some other way to mark where things are planted) and perhaps a place to wash dirty hands (bowl of water and towel).

This station is best done in the fall… as that is the time for planting bulbs! *grin*

For added items on the table you can hang pictures of hope, place quotes and scriptures that address hope. I think we placed something up that talked about the liturgical calendar and how spring is a time of hope made new. I am sorry I don’t remember more clearly… this is one of the stations I lost my notes on.

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Example Directions for on the Table:

Inside:
Invite God into this space and take a moment to just thank God for every good thing in your life.
Then go through all the things in your life that you are hoping for. Examine those things. Why do you hope for each of those things? Settle on one of those hopes and write it on a slip of paper.

Now, take that hope and pick one of the bulbs from the basket. Follow the arrows out side.

Outside:
Dig a hole and plant your hope in the ground (place the slip of paper beneath the bulb!) making sure to water it a bit to settle the earth in around it. Then place a marker over the spot to mark your spot.

As you do all this, pray your hope with your hands, letting go of this hope and handing it over to the care of our creator God.

Stats on poverty are rarely dealt with in a visual way. This is more of an entry way rather than a contemplative prayer station…. but it can be made into a station easily.
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Directions for Leadership:
This is a great entry to set up, or a station for people to just walk through. Set up a long row of tables. Every few feet put one of these facts. (These are as of 2006) Find a creative way to “show” these facts. Like a bin full of empty bottled waters dumped around the the area about the bottled water and safe drinking water or a McDonald’s meal set up next to the food fact.
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1.2 Billion people live on 23 cents a day.
1 Billion people are without safe drinking water.
Americans consumed 26 Billion liters of BOTTLED water last year.
Every 16 seconds someone in the world dies of hunger.
2 out of 3 Americans are considered over weight.
Wood consumption a day:
World – 4 pounds Americans – 14 pounds
80% of the world lives in substandard housing.
Average size of a new home built in 2005:
Ireland – 930 sq. ft. U.K. – 814 sq. ft. Japan – 1000 sq. ft. U.S. – 2349 sq. ft.
8% of people in the world own a car.
1/3 of American households own 3.
Estimates say that it would cost 9 Billion dollars to get clean water and sanitation to all.
Americans spent 27 Billion shopping for Christmas presents the day after Thanks Giving this last year.
According to the 2000 census, 8.1% of Nevada County’s Population live below the poverty line.
That is 7,332 people. (Not including children)

This contemplative prayer station uses the prayer of examine, a meditation of sorts used by our church fathers for centuries.

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Directions for Leadership:
Set up an area that is comfortable using pillow, blankets and chairs. Around the area place stacks of the following Directions.

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Directions:

Make yourself comfortable, making sure your posture is relaxed and your breathing calm. Take a moment to be still and quiet, and then ask God to be with you through this activity.

Now, think about your day. Go through each thing you did, the people you interacted with, how you spent your free time, where you went. Ask your-self; what was my attitude, how did I act or react, what did I say to others? Spend several minute going through this, get specific.

Next, think through your day again and look for where God may have been working: maybe in something natural, or through a person, or through you. Ask yourself; did I join God, hinder Him, or just observe? Did I notice at the time or only just now?

Spend a moment longer on this and ask God to show you anything you may have missed during the day.

Last, think through your day one more time from beginning to now and make a mental list of all the things you are thankful for, and also the things you need to confess to God.

End your time by praying this to God:

Lord make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy.
O divine master grant that I may
Not so much seek to be consoled as to console
To be understood as to understand
To be loved as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
And it is in pardoning that we are pardoned
And it’s in dying that we are born to eternal life
Amen

(The Prayer of St. Francis)

The Psalms are prayers and songs from ancient times; compositions based on Jewish patterns of thought and poetry. Within them we find the complete range of human emotion and need, and they offer a rich source of conversation with God. This contemplative prayer station allows us time to pray the psalms.
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Directions for Leadership:
Set up a few tables with several bibles, the list, and directions (both below)……
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Directions:

The Psalms are prayers and songs from ancient times; compositions based on Jewish patterns of thought and poetry. Within them we find the complete range of human emotion and need, and they offer a rich source of conversation with God. As we find within them verses and phrases which tie into our own thoughts and feelings, so too, we can find other verses which speak to us powerfully of the truth of God’s promises to us. The Psalms have been an invaluable resource to prayer throughout the centuries.

On this table is a list of all the Psalms and their topic. There are several bibles already opened to the book of Psalms around this area. Choose a psalm off the list that you are drawn too and take time to meditate on it. Make a note of where it can be found in the bible and continue to pray it this week.

The Book of Psalms
PSALM 1 - True Happiness in God’s Law
PSALM 2 - A Psalm for a Royal Coronation
PSALM 3 - Threatened but Trusting
PSALM 4 - Trust in God
PSALM 5 - Prayer for Divine Help
PSALM 6 - Prayer in Distress
PSALM 7 - God the Vindicator
PSALM 8 - Divine Majesty and Human Dignity
PSALM 9 - Thanksgiving for Victory ad Prayer for Justice (A)
PSALM 10 - Thanksgiving for Victory and Prayer for Justice (
PSALM 11 - Confidence in the Presence of God
PSALM 12 - Prayer against Evil Tongues
PSALM 13 - Prayer in Time of Illness
PSALM 14 - A Lament over Widespread Corruption
PSALM 15 - The Righteous Israelite
PSALM 16 - God the Supreme Good
PSALM 17 - Prayer for Rescue from Persecutors
PSALM 18 - A King’s Thanksgiving for Victory
PSALM 19 - God’s Glory in the Heavens and in the Law
PSALM 20 - Prayer for the King in time of War
PSALM 21 - Thanksgiving and Assurances for the King
PSALM 22 - The Prayer of an Innocent Person
PSALM 23 - The Lord, Shepherd and Host
PSALM 24 - The Glory of God in Procession to Zion
PSALM 25 - Confident Prayer for Forgiveness and Guidance
PSALM 26 - Prayer of Innocence
PSALM 27 - Trust in God
PSALM 28 - Petition and Thanksgiving
PSALM 29 - The Lord of Majesty Acclaimed as King of the World
PSALM 30 - Thanksgiving for Deliverance
PSALM 31 - Prayer in Distress and Thanksgiving for Escape
PSALM 32 - Remission of Sin
PSALM 33 - Praise of God’s Power and Providence
PSALM 34 - Thanksgiving to God Who Delivers the Just
PSALM 35 - Prayer for Help against Unjust Enemies
PSALM 36 - Human Wickedness and Divine Providence
PSALM 37 - The Fate of Sinners and the Reward of the Just
PSALM 38 - Prayer of an Afflicted Sinner
PSALM 39 - The Vanity of Life
PSALM 40 - Gratitude and Prayer for Help
PSALM 41 - Thanksgiving after Sickness
PSALM 42 - Longing for God’s Presence in the Temple (A)
PSALM 43 - Longing for God’s Presence in the Temple (
PSALM 44 - God’s Past Favor and Israel’s Present Need
PSALM 45 - Song for a Royal Wedding
PSALM 46 - God, the Protector of Zion
PSALM 47 - The Ruler of All the Nations
PSALM 48 - The Splendor of the Invincible City
PSALM 49 - Confidence in God rather than in Riches
PSALM 50 - The Acceptable Sacrifice
PSALM 51 - The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance
PSALM 52 - The Deceitful Tongue
PSALM 53 - A Lament over Widespread Corruption
PSALM 54 - Confident Prayer in Great Peril
PSALM 55 - A Lament over Betrayal
PSALM 56 - Trust in God
PSALM 57 - Confidence Prayer for Deliverance
PSALM 58 - The Dethroning of Unjust Rulers
PSALM 59 - Complaint Against Bloodthirsty Enemies
PSALM 60 - Lament after Defeat in Battle
PSALM 61 - Prayer of the King in Time of Danger
PSALM 62 - Trust in God Alone
PSALM 63 - Ardent Longing for God
PSALM 64 - Treacherous Conspirators Punished by God
PSALM 65 - Thanksgiving of God’s Blessings
PSALM 66 - Praise of God, Israel’s Deliverer
PSALM 67 - Harvest Thanks and Petition
PSALM 68 - The Exodus and Conquest, Pledge of Future Help
PSALM 69 - A Cry of Anguish in Great Distress
PSALM 70 - Prayer for Divine Help
PSALM 71 - Prayer in Time of Old Age
PSALM 72 - A Prayer for the King
PSALM 73 - The Trial of the Just
PSALM 74 - Prayer at the Destruction of the Temple
PSALM 75 - God the Judge of the World
PSALM 76 - God Defends Zion
PSALM 77 - Confidence in God during National Distress
PSALM 78 - A New Beginning in Zion and David
PSALM 79 - A Prayer for Jerusalem
PSALM 80 - Prayer to Restore God’s Vineyard
PSALM 81 - An Admonition to Fidelity
PSALM 82 - The Downfall of Unjust Gods
PSALM 83 - Prayer against a Hostile Alliance
PSALM 84 - Prayer of a Pilgrim to Jerusalem
PSALM 85 - Prayer for Divine Favor
PSALM 86 - Prayer in Time of Distress
PSALM 87 - Zion the True Birthplace of Diaspora Pilgrims
PSALM 88 - A Despairing Lament
PSALM 89 - A Lament over God’s Promise to David
PSALM 90 - God’s Eternity and Human Frailty
PSALM 91 - Security Under God’s Protection
PSALM 92 - A Hymn of Thanksgiving for God’s Fidelity
PSALM 93 - God is a Mighty King
PSALM 94 - A Prayer for Deliverance from the Wicked
PSALM 95 - A Call to Praise and Obedience
PSALM 96 - God of the Universe
PSALM 97 - The Divine Ruler of All
PSALM 98 - The Coming of God
PSALM 99 - The Holy King
PSALM 100 - Communal Thanks in the Temple
PSALM 101 - Norm of Life for Rulers
PSALM 102 - Prayer in Time of Distress
PSALM 103 - Praise of Divine Goodness
PSALM 104 - Praise of God the Creator
PSALM 105 - God’s Fidelity to the Promise
PSALM 106 - Israel’s Confession of Sin
PSALM 107 - God the Savior of Those in Distress
PSALM 108 - Prayer for Victory
PSALM 109 - Prayer of a Person Falsely Accused
PSALM 110 - God Appoints the King both King and Priest
PSALM 111 - Praise of God for Goodness to Israel
PSALM 112 - The Blessings of the Just
PSALM 113 - Praise of God’s Care of the Poor
PSALM 114 - The Lord’s Wonders at the Exodus
PSALM 115 - The Greatness of the True God
PSALM 116 - Thanksgiving to God Who Saves from Death
PSALM 117 - The Nations Called to Praise
PSALM 118 - Hymn of Thanksgiving
PSALM 119 - A Prayer to God, the Lawgiver
PSALM 120 - Prayer of a Returned Exile
PSALM 121 - The Lord My Guardian
PSALM 122 - A Pilgrim’s Prayer for Jerusalem
PSALM 123 - Reliance on the Lord
PSALM 124 - God, the Rescuer of the People
PSALM 125 - Israel’s Protector
PSALM 126 - The Reversal of Zion’s Fortunes
PSALM 127 - The Need of God’s Blessing
PSALM 128 - The Happy Home of the Just
PSALM 129 - Against Israel’s Enemies
PSALM 130 - Prayer for Pardon and Mercy
PSALM 131 - Humble Trust in God
PSALM 132 - The Covenant between David and God
PSALM 133 - A Vision of a Blessed Community
PSALM 134 - Exhortation to the Night Watch to Bless God
PSALM 135 - Praise of God, the Ruler and Benefactor of Israel
PSALM 136 - Hymn of Thanksgiving for God’s Everlasting Love
PSALM 137 - Sorrow and Hope in Exile
PSALM 138 - Hymn of a Grateful Heart
PSALM 139 - The All-knowing and Ever-lasting God
PSALM 140 - Prayer for Deliverance from the Wicked
PSALM 141 - Prayer for Deliverance from the Wicked
PSALM 142 - A Prayer in Time of Trouble
PSALM 143 - A Prayer in Distress
PSALM 144 - A Prayer for Victory and Prosperity
PSALM 145 - The Greatness and Goodness of God
PSALM 146 - Trust in God the Creator and Redeemer
PSALM 147 - God’s Word Restores Jerusalem
PSALM 148 - All Creation Summoned to Praise
PSALM 149 - Praise God with Song and Sword
PSALM 150 - Final Doxology

Using a work sheet to write out thoughts, this contemplative prayer station focuses on Gods call for his people to be kind, just, and patient…. among other things.
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Directions for Leadership:
This station is fairly random in that it was a fun brainstorm we had one night, not connected to any sermon or teaching in particular. At this station have a table and chairs set up with pens, the quotes (below) and the work sheet (below) printed up for people to use.

This is an example from a different station…. we set up in the back of the sanctuary.
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Directions:
The focus of this station is: Intentional acts of kindness.
Grab a work sheet and a pencil and have fun!

Quotes:
“And be kind to one another, tender- hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4: 32

“And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, and humility, gentleness, and patience…”
Colossians 3: 12

“And followers of Jesus must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged”
2 Timothy 2: 24

Work Sheet:
In this space write a list of things that God has done for you….

In this space write all the kind things others have done for you within the past month….

In this space make a list of kind things that you can do for others during this next week….

Now choose one of these intentional acts of kindness and do it!