Family Prayer Stations
Have you ever participated in a prayer station?
I love prayer stations and find so much value in them because they allow a creative way for kids to focus on prayer. Teaching our kids to pray is essential and to never lose sight of the power of prayer. As a family it is SO important to spend time praying together. Prayer does not have to be boring and I find that as we teach our kids to pray and give them opportunities the more open they become.
Here are a few prayer station ideas that you can do as a family during our Emotions Series: (Most of the items you might even have at home and it’s important to do them along with your kids)
JOY
When I think of joy I think of balloons! For this family prayer station activity grab a few different color balloons and a couple different sharpies! Give each family member a balloon. Encourage everyone to spend a few moments praying and thanking God for things that bring them joy in their life. As they pray and begin to thank God for something have them write it on their balloon. After a few moments spend some time together as a family sharing with each other what you each wrote down.
DISAPPOINTMENT
There are things in our life that can be disappointing at times. Things that we hope for that don’t happen and things that can be disappointing. It’s important to make sure that we give those disappointments to God and allow Him to take control of those areas. As a family grab a piece of paper and write down those disappointments and then pray over them. When you finish praying over them rip them up, and throw them in the trash as a way of giving them over to God.
ANGER
For this prayer station you are going to want to talk to the kids about a traffic light and the different colors. You can even create one out of paper and set it up in your house, or to make it simple cut out 3 circles (one green, one yellow, and one red). When we have feelings of anger we need the Holy Spirit to help lead us and speak to us. He can show us what we need to STOP doing, He can WARN us of who and what to be cautious of, and He often tells us to GO and do something or let go of something. As a family pray about each of these 3 areas and write what God puts on their heart on the different traffic light colors.
ANXIETY
Calm Down Jars are some of the most incredible things! For an art project with your kids have each member of your family create their very own Calm Down Jar. You can find how to create one by clicking here: 17 Calm Down Jar Ideas. Talk to your kids about how sometimes we can feel anxious. As you talk about those things that make you anxious shake up your jar. Life can sometimes feel like that, but we can pray and give those things to God and allow His peace and love to come into those areas in our life. Encourage your kids to shake their jar and then spend time praying about areas that make them feel anxious as they wait for the water to become calm. God can help give us peace.
LOVE
As a family take some paper and cut hearts out of paper and grab some markers and tape. As a family choose a door or window to do this prayer station on. Write out God is Love on one of the hearts. As a family think about ways that you know God is Love and write them on the hearts. After you write them out, you can take the tape and put them on the door. Thank God for His love and all the ways you know that God loves you.