Contemplative Prayer Stations

Using mirrors, this contemplative prayer station focuses on Gods gift of life.
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Directions for Leadership:
In a secluded area set up several mirrors. Make sure the mirrors are not set up in such a way that a person looking in one can easily see over to someone else doing the same. This is a very difficult station for some and it is good to try and make it somewhat private. Around each mirror place dry erase markers, pens, paper, and a tissue box (just in case), along with the instructions.

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Instructions:

“Then God said, “Let us make man (humanity) in Our image, according to our likeness.” – Genesis 1:26

Feel your pulse running through you. What you feel is life! A gift from God, your maker!

Look in the mirror. What do you see? Just a body? A soul? A mind?

When you see yourself do you cringe or do you praise God?

Look closely. Ask God to show you the real you.

If you would like, draw on the mirror, or on a piece of paper.

I got an email from Alex (Manchester, UK) with this great idea for a station using music, movement and a bit of random fun. I just copied it right out of the email and put it up…. *grin*

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One idea that I have come up with is something I have called “Musical Prayers", similar to Musical Chairs but with a twist.

The idea is that you put two rows of chairs out (relative to the number of people praying). The two rows should have their backs to each other. A different message/thought/prayer/reflection/request/ is to be laid out on each chair. Praise music then begins and people can start to walk around praising and praying etc, then when the music stops, people must make it to a chair and respond to whatever the sheet of paper says. Then, the music starts again (2-3 mins later?) and people get up and continue praying/praising. Once the music stops, people must sit down on a chair that they haven’t done before (the fun bit). Then repeat several times as desired.

Using newspapers people are able to pray for events and people with in their community. This contemplative prayer station is more outward focused rather than inward.
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Directions for Leadership:
In the back of your sanctuary/room set up a table and chairs. On the table put newspapers (local to National) from that week on the table with highlighters and the following Directions.

Photo from Live Oak Vineyard, Arcadia, CA

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Directions:
On the table are various newspapers from this week. Start looking over the headlines and articles. When you find one that catches your attention take a Highlighter and highlight that article and then pray for that situation/problem. If you have the time you can pray for other articles as well.

Giving God an Offering involves more than our money. This contemplative prayer station helps people think about what they are and are not giving to God.
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Directions for Leadership:
set up a table and chairs. On the table have a “treasure chest” type box for people to place their offerings as well as what your church uses for an monetary offering plate. Also have 3x5 cards, pens, envelopes on the table with the directions. Lastly, as a neat way to seal the envelope, buy some wax and have matches (with a plate to put the used matches on) so they can seal the envelope with wax.

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Directions:

Paul tells us to “Give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and Holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual act of worship.” If you are willing, let this station help you in offering up yourself as a prayer to God.

Think about all the parts of your life… work, school, time, words, money, play, etc… and write on a card what it is you would like to give to God. As you do so, ask that He help you to do this and to give you strength and guidance.

Place the card in an envelope, seal it with wax and place it in the offering box.
If you brought a tithe (offering of money only), then place it in the offering plate.

This contemplative prayer station allows people to think about all the people they already know and are around all the time that they can evangelize to… but not the Jesus Lecture, but instead connecting and sharing their life in small doses with them.
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Directions For Leadership:
Set up a table and chairs in the back of the sanctuary or room with the Work Sheet on it and Directions (all below) along with pens and a “treasure chest” type box for people to drop their pieces of paper into. At the end of the service have the pastor go back and get the box, bring it forward and pray for the “contents” of that box.

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Quote:

Ok, so the reality is that at best, only 10% of Christians have the “gift” of evangelism. So where does that leave the rest of us ordinary types? Pretty much on the sidelines watching and cheering (and writing checks). This seems unacceptable to us.
The current practice of “counting” only conversions is counter-productive and biblically suspect. It seems that the fundamental building block of evangelism — connecting — is a much better place to start.
http://doableevangelism.com/

Directions:

As followers of Jesus we have entered into a dynamic relationship with our creator. He is showing us how to live a life of freedom and sacrifice, a life of joy and grace, a life that will last forever. Jesus asks us to invite others into this transforming relationship.

Follow the directions on the work sheets provided on the table.

Work Sheet:
List as all the people that you know personally that do not, in their own estimation, follow Jesus.
(Family, Friends, Coworkers, etc.)

Choose 5 of the people on your list and as you rewrite their name in this column take time to pray for them.

Choose one person, write their name below and tear it off. Then drop their name in the box (we will NOT open the box and look through the names – so no worries) and spend time praying over the box and all the people that others may have placed in it as well.