Page 56 - Lessons and Activities on Prayer

people can’t, and give examples.
▪ if desired, play the song “My Father’s eyes,”
and talk about the meaning of the song. ▪ continue with God’s Feelings activity (page 57). ▪ invite children to share their
pictures with the class.
iMAginAtive PrAyer LeSSon PLan 2
Catechist background
e second way to experience imaginative prayer is to place one’s self within a bible story. using our imagination, we can either be an onlooker or a par- ticipant in the story. in luke 5:18–26 we read the story of the paralytic on the mat. “some men came along carrying a paralytic on a mat.” I can imagine that I am the paralyzed man on the mat. What does it feel like not to be able to move? What do I miss do- ing? What is the color of my mat? “ ey were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but they found no way of getting him through because of the crowd, so they went up on the roof.” Why do I want my friends to take me to Jesus? What are the names of my friends who carry me to Jesus? How do I feel know- ing that I want to ask Jesus to heal me? When I get to the house and see all of those people, do I want to give up? “ ere they let him down with his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus.” How do my friends get through the roof? When I’m be- ing lowered down, do I feel embarrassed? Do I almost fall o my mat? How does Jesus look? What is he wear- ing? What does he say to me? What does he say to my friends? “seeing their faith, Jesus said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you.’” How do I feel when Jesus calls me a friend? How do the friends who brought me here act? Are they happy when Jesus calls me a friend? “Jesus addressed the paralyzed man: ‘i say to you, get up! Take your mat with you and return to your house.’ at once the man stood up before them. he picked up the mat he had been lying on and went
home praising God.” When Jesus tells me to get up, am I afraid? Do my legs feel shaky? Are the people who are watching smiling? Where are my friends? As soon as I stand up, what do I do? Do I run and thank my friends? Do I thank Jesus? Do I walk home to tell my family? What will I remember most about that day?
once again, you will want to set a quiet atmo- sphere with low lights and soft music. bring out Pat Penguin and the prayer mats before you begin this prayer experience. you can use any bible story that you like. you may want to write questions out ahead of time. or as you become more pro cient, slowly read the story and ask questions that come to mind as you read. be sure to pause after each question. afterward, share what you and the chil- dren imagined as you prayed.
Objectives
□ To pray using one’s imagination
materials
□ Soft music □ Pat Penguin □ Prayer Mats □ Bible Story
lesson
▪ Gather the children around you. ▪ Prepare a silent, prayerful atmosphere.
Get out Pat Penguin and the prayer
mats, and put on soft music.
▪ using the background material, slowly
read luke 5:18–26, asking questions as you read. allow plenty of time for children to respond silently.
▪ after the last question, allow children to remain still for several minutes.
▪ Gather children in a circle and allow them to share what they saw, heard, and felt as you guided them through this prayer experience.
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