Dicey Prayer
Download PDF
On your marks:
The following prayer idea is based around numbers. Each of the numbers on a die is linked to something to pray for as a group.
Get set:
You will need at least one large blow-up die, such as those available with some games sold at the Early Learning Centre.
Go:
Bring out the large blow-up die.
For our time of prayer today, explain that you will use some of the numbers on the die, as they turn up, to help us pray for ourselves and other people.
Ask some of the children to throw the die two or three times and, depending on which numbers turn up, use those numbers as a way into a time of prayer according to the ideas below. If the same number comes up more than once just ask for re-throw. Alternatively, you could use two dice and use the different numbers to be the focus for that session's prayer-time.
Hear some suggestions for the meaning to the numbers:
Number 1:
Pray about one thing you want to say a big 'thank you' for today.
Or:
Pray about someone who is on his or her own and of what you can do to help.
Number 2:
Pray about your best friend and ask God to keep him or her safe this week.
Or:
Pray about two of the people who care for you, perhaps a parent and a grandparent. Ask God to keep them safe this week.
Number 3:
Pray about some of your other relatives, maybe brothers, sisters or cousins and ask God to keep them safe this week.
Or:
Because three reminds us about God being Father, Son and Holy Spirit, ask that you might learn more about God this coming week.
Number 4:
Arranged as a square, this looks like a building, so pray about your church or home and ask that it will be a safe and happy place this week.
Or:
The four points are like the four points of the compass, so pray about those who are travelling off in different directions this week - someone from church, school or among your family and friends.
Number 5:
This shape, with four outside and one in the middle, can remind us about our church in the middle of our community. Pray about the shops, houses and the workplaces around the church and ask God to keep people safe in their jobs this week.
Or:
Five is the number of senses God has given us - sight, taste, touch, smell and hearing - so pray about those who don't enjoy good health and ask to be close to them this week.
Number 6:
This number reminds us of the whole world with its more than 6 billion people on 6 continents! Pray about those far away from here in other countries, especially those facing hard times and difficult circumstances.
Or:
This is the number of days God took to create the gift of this world. Offer thanks for some aspect of creation and also pray for those who are working hard to make our world a safer and less polluted place.
Finish your time of number praying by reminding the group of the words of Jesus who said that God is so great that he knows about every single sparrow that falls and knows how many hairs there are on our heads.
Five sparrows are sold for just two pennies, but God doesn't forget a one of them. Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don't be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows!
Luke 12:6-7 (CEV).
Father God,
Thank you that even among such a great number of people in this world, you see us and care about each one of us.
Help us to remember that each of us is important to you and so help us to treat others today in the same way, as special and not just as a number.
Amen