Contemplative Prayer Stations

This station is very similar to the Worries station as well as the one where you drop stones with a burden written on them into a bucket of water… as it deals with the burdens and cares that we carry on our shoulders. I have done this station in various ways, sometimes with a wooden cross and other times with a cross taped out on the floor with candles around it. If you are using a wooden cross you might need thumb tacks to help the sticky notes stay.

I borrowed the instructions write up from here because I liked it better than mine. I also grabbed this picture from there.

Set up:
On the ground place throw pillows or chairs for people to sit or kneel around the cross. The cross can be a large wooden one or taped out on the floor. Also scatter sticky note and pens with the instructions.

Instructions:
“Matthew 11.28: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
Are you willing to let God help you rest in this moment?
First, consider what burdens you are carrying around – those doubts, fears, obligations, worries, feelings of inadequacy that are weighing down your spirit from experiencing God’s rest. As a gesture of prayer, asking God for release, write your burdens down on the post-it notes provided. Your prayer might be a word, a name, a symbol. Then, place those burdens inside the cross on the floor before you. As you do, focus on an image of God taking those burdens for you and carrying them for awhile, as you seek
rest and peace.”

Using an ancient practice of lighting candles while praying people are asked to pray for a person, a hope they have, a worry, etc….
——————————-
Directions for leadership:
On a table in the back of the sanctuary or room set up a table with a nice table cloth, a billion tea candles and matches on plates. You might want to have a plate with a bit of water in the bottom to put the used matches. Above the table post the following directions, but make sure you change the wording appropriately….
—————————————-
Do you believe that tomorrow is just an extension of today, or do you believe that things can change; that people can change?

We believe in Hope. Not a blind hope, but a Hope that charges through the tragedy and brokenness of life with purpose.

Instructions:
For centuries, lighting a candle has been a symbol representing the offering up of a prayer to God.

Think of a (hope) you have. Big or little, it doesn’t matter.

As you light a candle, share that hope with God. Just as the flame and smoke ride up from the candle, envision your prayer rising up to God.

This contemplative prayer station goes along with teaching on the theme of Celtic Prayer.
——————————–
Directions for Leadership:
Set up a table with paper, pens and these directions below. Set up a place to pin up the prayers when done… perhaps around a hanging cross. We also hung up photos of Celtic crosses and other such things…

—————————–

Calling All Poets and Non-Poets Alike!

We as a community have spent the last 3 weeks looking at the Celtic Christian Faith, specifically paying attention to how they connected their spiritual lives with their everyday lives through prayer.

We invite you to write a Blessing or a Prayer of your own. You can use the style of the Celtic Prayers (Using the Trinity – Father – Son – Holy Spirit or creating prayers for everyday actions like dressing and walking) or you can get creative and go in your own direction.

Make two copies; one to tack to the wall and one to take home with you and stick somewhere you will see it every day.
On the table are examples: Feel free to take any of the laminated ones home with you as well.

This contemplative prayer station involves eating food as a way to symbolize prayers for God to change us, making us more like Christ.
——————————————————————-
Directions for Leadership:
This station involves eating. Set up a few tables with nice table clothes. Post the directions somewhere obvious with a sign that says begin here. The following directions make it obvious what type of food it is in front.
——————————————————————–
Directions:
Christians say that their goal is to become like Jesus. Just what exactly does that mean?

When we choose to follow Jesus, we are basically giving up control of our own life and begin to living how Jesus tells us is the best way to live. The Holy Spirit starts to change us from the inside out, making us into the people God meant us to be. If we are becoming more like Jesus, we are becoming what God intended us to be; people of discipline, honesty, love, humility, patience, kindness, compassion, mercy and grace.
Look at the different characteristics of Jesus on the tables and think about which characteristic needs the most work in your life. When you have chosen the one you need most help with go to that area and follow the directions posted above it.
———————————————————————

Labels to go with food:

The power bars on the table represents discipline. Take a piece and eat it. As you do, pray that God will fill you with strength and self control, that you will be changed into a person with discipline. Think about how the food you are eating becomes a part of you, giving you energy and strength and imagine how the Holy Spirit will do the same, changing you into a person with discipline.

The bread on the table represents honesty. Take a piece and eat it. As you do, pray that God will change your habits, that you will be changed into an honest person. Just as the food you are eating becomes a part of you, giving you energy and strength, imagine how the Holy Spirit will do the same, changing you into a person of integrity.

The candy hearts on the table represent love. Take one and eat it. As you do, pray that God will fill you with love for others. Just as the candy tastes good and becomes a part of you, giving you energy, imagine how the Holy Spirit does the same with you, filling you with love for others.

The oats on the table represent humility. Take a hand full and eat. As you do, pray that God will give you opportunities to serve and that you will be bold enough to do so. Think about how the oats you are eating becomes a part of you, giving you energy and strength, and then imagine how the Holy Spirit does the same with you, changing you into a humble person.

The Beef Jerky on the table represents patience. Take a piece and eat it. As you do, pray that God will change you and fill you with patience. Think about how the food you are eating becomes a part of you, giving you energy and strength, and then imagine how the Holy Spirit is doing the same with you, filling you with patience for others.

The wafers on the table represent kindness. Take a one and eat it. As you do, pray that God will give you opportunities to show kindness to others and that you will not be to busy to do so. Just as the wafer tastes good and becomes a part of you, giving you energy, imagine how the Holy Spirit does the same with you, changing you into a person of kindness.

The bread on the table represents compassion. Take a piece and eat it. As you do, pray that God will help you see those who need compassion, and that you will not be to busy to show some. Just as the bread you are eating becomes a part of you, giving you energy and strength, imagine how the Holy Spirit will do the same, changing you into a person of compassion.

The chocolate on the table represent grace. Take a piece and eat it. As you do, pray that God will help you see those moments when you should show grace to others and that you will not be to prideful to do so. Just as the chocolate tastes good and becomes a part of you, giving you energy, imagine how the Holy Spirit does the same with you, changing you into a person of grace.

This contemplative prayer stations is similar to the Draw a Hope/Pain/Thanks station but is done in such a way that is ends in a Community Mural.
—————————————————-

Directions for leadership:
Cover a large table with butcher paper, making sure to tape down the edges so it doesn’t move around. Put out crayons or pens or any other drawing supply. In the middle of the table write Psalm 92:4-6 - “You Make me so happy God, I saw your work and I shouted for Joy. How magnificent your work, God! How profound your thoughts! Dullards never notice what you do; fools just don’t get it.”
Below that write the following Directions: Using the supplies on the table, draw all the things for which you are thankful.