One of the things we try to do at St Clare’s is to make sure that all our senses are used in worship. These simple prayers allow people to use touch, sight and sound to pray, as well as some creativity. It also works really well with all ages. I can’t remember where I found the idea, but I have adapted it and used it many times. It works well in a home group or a large congregation.
I used to call them ‘plasticine prayers’ and give everyone in the congregation a lump of plasticine to mould, but when we used them on Easter day at St Clare’s we used air dry modelling clay and that was perfect, as it also meant that everyone could take their final model home with them.
So the idea is very simple. Make sure that everyone present has a packet of clay, or a lump of plasticine, or some play dough, or some other mouldable substance that can be used without people needing to wash their hands afterwards. Then just use the prayers below giving people time to mould between each stage.
The prayers here are the ones we used on Easter day, but they could be used any day, or easily adapted for particular services. For example, when we used the prayer at Easter, we added flowers to the hearts at the end of the prayers, to symbolise the resurrection, and then invited people to place them in the shape of a cross.
However you adapt them, the important thing is to keep the shapes simple, the idea is that people are praying, not getting anxious about modelling complex or perfect sculptures!
Prayers of Clay
Invite everyone to open their packet of clay, and hold it, cupped in their hands.
From the very beginning, God held his creation in his hands. God brooded over it like a mother, cradled it like a precious gift.
Think about those things that you hold precious in your life. As you know how much you love them, know how much God loves you.
Invite everyone to mould the shape into a ball, like the earth.
God made the earth for us to live on. It’s a rich, diverse and beautiful place for us to share. Think about the places you love, places where you have been happy or close to God and give thanks for them…
But now think of places in the world where there is heartbreak and war and pain, and hold them in your hearts and prayers.
God made the earth for us to live on. It’s a rich, diverse and beautiful place for us to share. Think about the places you love, places where you have been happy or close to God and give thanks for them…
But now think of places in the world where there is heartbreak and war and pain, and hold them in your hearts and prayers.
Invite everyone to mould the shape of a person.
And at the very centre of God’s creation were his people, his children. He held them in his hands, and looked at them with love, even when they got things so wrong…. and he still does.
Think about the people who you love.
Think about the people who have loved you.
Thank God for each of them, and the ones he has given into your care. Hold them in your prayers and heart for a few moments.
Now ask God to put a name on your heart. The name of someone in need, of someone who longs to find love and community, of someone you know who is in need of hope or healing.
Thank God for each of them, and the ones he has given into your care. Hold them in your prayers and heart for a few moments.
Now ask God to put a name on your heart. The name of someone in need, of someone who longs to find love and community, of someone you know who is in need of hope or healing.
Maybe you’d like to put the initial of that person on your model. Think of that person, and pray for them…
Invite everyone to mould the shape of a cross.
God came to us to show us how much he loved us, to live for us, and even to die for us.
Jesus Christ, God with us died for all the sins and hurts and heartbreaks of this world. To bring hope and healing and forgiveness.
So as you hold the cross in your hands, think of the burdens you carry. Burdens of hurt, of guilt, of pain, of anxiety. Bring them to the cross, and give them to Jesus.
Invite everyone to reform their person to make a heart shape.
Finally, we remember that Jesus died for us because he loves us.
We remember that his love for us is so strong, that even death could not destroy it. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
And to each of his children he gave that most fragile and precious of all gifts – the ability to give and receive love. What we do with that gift is in our hands.
Spend a few moments holding the heart in your up-turned hand. If you feel able, pray, giving God your heart – your plans, your hopes, your dreams and your fears, and most of all your love.
Thank you Jesus, our risen Lord, that you love us. That you died for us, but that death could not hold you. Help us to proclaim and share that love this and very day.
