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Revolutionizing Kids' Prayer Engaging Hearts Through Creative Activities
Episode 69
Watching kids during prayer time Sunday and half are fidgeting quarter staring at ceiling rest planning escape routes.
Traditional "bow your heads close your eyes" isn't working. They're not being disrespectful they're just kids. They learn differently move differently connect with God differently than adults.
Started experimenting with prayer that actually engages them instead of making them sit still be quiet. Some ideas amazing others complete disasters but learned kids love praying when it's not boring.
Now prayer time their favorite part. They ask if we can pray about stuff volunteer to lead prayers actually participate instead of enduring it.
Set up prayer wall with butcher paper let kids write or draw prayers with markers. Emma drew sick grandma surrounded by hearts said it was prayer for her to feel better. Way more meaningful than making her recite words she doesn't understand.
Prayer walks around building each step prayer for someone different. Dancing prayers where kids move however they want while we pray. Action prayers where we act out what we're praying for.
Art prayers with paper and crayons let them draw while talking to God. Marcus drew angry scribbled mess when parents fighting. Couldn't put feelings into words but could show God through art.
Prayer journals simple notebooks for private conversations with God. Don't check or grade just let them write draw doodle whatever helps them connect.
Station prayers different areas around room kids rotate through. Thank you station sorry station help station others station. Movement helps them concentrate instead of distracting.
Object prayers using rocks for heavy things feathers for giving to God band aids for people hurting. Bubble prayers watching prayers float up to God.
Kids asking to pray about real life stuff volunteering to lead talking about praying at home. Prayer becoming conversation with God instead of performance for adults.
*For anyone whose prayer time feels like endurance test, leaders discovering kids connect with God differently than adults, people learning that movement and creativity beat sitting still and being quiet.
Check out KidsMinistry.Blog for more ideas, tips, and resources to help your Children's Ministry thrive!"
Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago