Daniel Prayer Rocks
Art Workshop Idea from State Street UMC, Bristol VA
Overview: These special Prayer Rocks remind kids of the power of prayer and the story of Daniel. Kids were encouraged to take the prayer rocks home and keep in a visible place as a reminder to pray like Daniel.
Supplies:
- Copy of tutorial for lion drawing. One example can be found here: http://artprojectsforkids.org/portfolio/baby-lion/
- Large smooth river rocks (about 3 inch diameter) – one per child
- Foam plates
- Paint smocks
- Sharpie paint markers (red, yellow, orange, brown, white, black)
- Paper towels
- Pencils
- Scrap paper (about half a sheet of paper will work)
Advanced Preparation:
- Write PRAY in large letters on the white board.
- Copy the drawing a lion tutorial for each child or pair of children.
- Check the sharpie paint markers to make sure they are flowing well (if new, follow directions to get the paint flowing).
- Set out plates, markers and rocks on counter.
Directions:
- Pass out a pencil and a piece of paper to each child.
- Have them choose a rock.
- Have them trace around the rock onto the paper.
- Using the lion tutorial (or other lion pictures) have children draw a lion inside the pencil line on their paper.
- Have them add the word PRAY to the design.
- Once comfortable with their design, give them a foam plate as a work station for painting.
- Place the rock on the plate and trace their design onto the rock with pencil.
- Use the paint markers to color in the lion. Color in the large areas first, then add details such as face, nose, eyes, mane.
- Add the word PRAY to the rocks.
- Children may take the rocks home – and transport on the plates. Allow 12 hours or so to completely dry.
We used the prayer rocks as a closing prayer during this session.
Say: Daniel trusted in God despite being faced with a terrible death in the lions’ den. Sometimes we face challenges too – not as bad as being eaten by lions, but still, hard times are part of life. Prayer helps. Knowing God is with us during hard times helps. Knowing God is our refuge and gives us strength helps. We’re going to close with our prayer rocks. Touch your rock with one finger in a place where the paint is not wet. I will go around the room and ask you to silently think of a hard time you might be facing or someone you know is facing. Ask for God’s help. When you are done, say Amen and we’ll continue around the circle.
