So let what I’m saying sink deeply into your hearts and souls. Do whatever it takes to remember what I’m telling you: tie a reminder on your hand or put a reminder on your forehead where you’ll see it all the time, and on the doorpost where you cross the threshold or on the city gate. Teach these things to your children. Talk about them when you’re sitting together in your home and when you’re walking together down the road. Make them the last thing you talk about before you go to bed and the first thing you talk about the next morning. – Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (VOICE)
Recently, parent and K-2 Jumpstart volunteer, Johke Boezaart, introduced Prayer Sticks to the boys and girls during Jumpstart. Prayer Sticks are a fun way to introduce children to prayer. I asked Johke to share her experience using Prayer Sticks with her family.
How long has your family been using Prayer Sticks?
Two years.
When do you set aside time to pray using the Prayer Sticks?
Typically at night at dinner or when we put the kids down for bed.
What kind of prayers does your family place on the Prayer Sticks?
We pray for people who are sick. We pray for people who we know are going through a hard time. We pray for family members and friends and teachers. We put things we are thankful for on there. We pray for God to help us with things like courage, patience, listening, etc…
What blessings have you seen from using Prayer Sticks with your children?
It is neat to see how the kids will sometimes just tell us there is something they would like to put on a prayer stick. I’ve seen Andre and Zani both develop in their ability to see prayer as something normal and natural and part of life and not something that they have to be nervous about. I have enjoyed writing my prayers down on them too.
Is there anything else you would like us to know about Prayer Sticks?
It is a great way to introduce prayer to kids in a real and simple way. Kids love to decorate prayer sticks regardless of their age. If we make prayer sticks fun and real they see it as something normal and not something that is a chore. Use them daily if you can. But if you only do it three times a week or so, that is fine too. If you put the jar with the prayers sticks in a public place, like the kitchen, the kids can sometimes just pull one out and write something–a praise or request they would like to share that they are thinking about at that moment. Do what suits your family best!
Start using Prayer Sticks with your family!
What you need:
- an empty jar
- wooden craft sticks
- colorful markers or pens
What to do:
- fill it up with your prayers
- pray together often