Lord's Prayer Banners or Prayer "Wall"
The following idea was suggested in a brainstorming session some years ago. The idea is to create four different "display boards" or banners on which are displayed either key words/parts of the Lord's Prayer, -OR- the four-word that make up the acronym: A-C-T-S: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication --with examples on each panel/board of those types of prayers and prayer words. These boards are then displayed where people can attach their own prayers to them.
Depending on time and other variables, these could be created in one class time by four different groups working independently, or one per week by a different class, or the same class.
Other than teaching 'about the Lord's Prayer" and "About Prayer using the A.C.T.S. breakdown of "what goes into a prayer, the banner or wall display is intended to be interactive with the congregation by placing it in a prominent location and inviting adults to post "post it note prayers" (or staple index cards) on the display board that the students have created. In this way the Prayer Wall collects prayers and shares what people are praying about or asking for prayers for.
The panels can be made out of 2' x 4' sheets of drywall. Drywall is easy to cut* to size, paint on with acrylic paints, quick to dry, and easy to pin notes to. You can use colored duct tape to frame the border of the drywall.
Tip: PRIME the drywall with white primer before having the kids paint it.
To stand the drywall upright, have a handyperson ATTACH 1x3 board to the BACK of the drywall panels (to provide rigidity) which will allow them to be leaned against a wall. A "very" handyperson could make blocks to keep them from moving.
BANNER OPTION:
You can also create four different "banners" using white or beige muslin cloth, edges sewed or tacked, with a loop at the top for a dowel rod so you can hang them afterward.
The Four Panels:
• A – Adoration – praise to God – God is awesome, Holy is your name. (Hallowed be Thy name).
Ideas for panel: Creatively painted or collaged "Names of God."
• C – Confession – confess what we did wrong, tell what we’re sorry for (Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive our trespassers).
Ideas for panel: Creatively painted or collaged 'starter phrases' such as, "I should have..." and "I need to remember to..." and "I need to stop...."
• T – Thanksgiving – give thanks to God, grateful for God’s blessings (thank you for this beautiful day).
Ideas for panel: Creatively painted or collaged pictures of people and things kids are grateful for.
• S – Supplication – or asking – asking for help for yourself or others, asking for what we need, (Give us this day our daily bread).
Ideas for panel: Creatively painted phrases, such as: "I need..." "Give this person...." "Keep an eye on ...." "In my school/work we need..."
For the bulletin: You are invited to come to our prayer wall in the narthex. Stop & pray with the prayers already hanging there. We encourage you to write your own prayer & tack it to the wall, also. Rotation Sunday School.
Suggestion: Pass out Post it Notes during prayer-time in Worship. Have members post their prayers as they leave worship, or collect them and post them for them.
Ideas from a discussion between Rotation.org members Rachel H and Neil M, with ideas from others as well.