New guidebook and ideas for preparing and running prayer stations
Over halfway through the diocese’s year of 24–7 Prayer, many of us appreciate how the use of creative prayer ideas can help people experience a deeper relationship with God. Indeed, prayer stations can now be found in churches of many denominations around the UK.
As an aid to worship and reflection, prayer stations are distinct from the other types of prayer that form people’s regular worship experience, allowing them to discover a new level of closeness and connection to God.
A wide range of ideas can be found spread across several websites for churches to begin to resource creative prayer, but, to make it simpler, creative prayer enthusiast Claire Daniel has put together a diverse collection of 80 tried–and–tested creative prayer ideas, grouped into 20 themed chapters, in her new book appropriately entitled ‘80 Creative Prayer Ideas’.
The prayers use the senses, tactile responses and reflective prayer to engage actively with Bible passages and themes including forgiveness, thanksgiving and renewal. Also included are prayers based specifically on the Christian calendar and the needs of our community and world.
Each idea is clearly laid out under five headings: Prayer focus, Bible reflection, What I need (to run the prayer station), Reflect (the reflection for pray–ers to consider) and Pray (the act of creative prayer).
Many of the ideas include Bible verses to be kept or objects to be created as part of the response. These keepsakes serve as visual reminders both of the things shared with God and the things he has communicated, encouraging users to continue to pray, persevering, growing and developing in the journey of faith through prayer and reflection.
Read a sample chapter from the book here.
The individual ideas are but one part of the value of this book for church leaders. Claire also includes helpful details on what is needed to create and run a prayer station event, covering furniture, lighting, sound, health and safety, required kitchen facilities and props—a complete toolkit to help reduce stress and uncertainty for the time–pressed leader.
“I hope this book will spur on leaders who want to include creative praying in church services and home groups as well as individuals who want to explore new ways of encountering God in the place of prayer. Jesus clearly showed us our responsibilities as his followers: to pray for his kingdom to come and for his will to be done in and for our families and our neighbours, in our communities, our nation and our world. Let’s use these creative methods of prayer and see where God leads us as we sense our own prayer journey developing, reaching up to God and out to those he puts on our heart to pray for and about.” Jane Holloway, World Prayer Centre, Birmingham
About the author
Claire Daniel has led creative prayer sessions for a variety of age groups at Aldridge Parish Church near Birmingham, and also for The Hothouse, a fresh expression of church and growing worshipping community in the West Midlands. She is passionate about encouraging others to explore different ways of praying and supporting groups and churches to use creative prayer ideas in ministry.
80 Creative Prayer Ideas is available now, priced £8.99, ISBN 978 1 84101 688 7, pb, 192 pages. Click here.