Wednesday, December 03, 2008Login z Register   
 


Movement Prayers

Purpose
We are made as earthly and heavenly beings - body and soul. As the body houses the soul they are intimately connected. As we move our bodies, our souls cannot help but move along. Movements can trigger our spirits and can be used as prayer without words.

Babies

Move each part of the baby’s body (arms, legs, head, fingers, toes). As you do, thank God for this beautiful creation. Holding the baby, make a circle with him/her in your arms. Thank God for the circle of life surrounding this baby. Taking the child’s arms or legs, make the shape of the alpha and omega and thank Christ for being part of their life. Put on music that stirs your soul. As it plays move the arms and legs of your baby to the music as a prayer.


Toddlers

The above can be done with the addition of:
Using a word prayer perhaps written by the child, put motions to it and have the child use their whole body to say it.

  • Thank you God (point up with both hands)
  • For seeds (crouch down)
  • That grow into trees (make a tree)
  • And for the sun (Arms up in a circle)
  • And for birds (fly)
  • And for stars (using fingers to twinkle)
  • Amen (hands in prayer place)

Prayer Positions
Demonstrate different positions in which to pray (kneeling, laying, standing, seated). Experiment with which feels comfortable for the child.

Floor Pattern
Make a pattern on the floor and follow it over and over while praying. Explain to the child that their feet are praying whatever their heart is feeling.

Music
Play music and encourage the child to move to the music.

Ribbons
Streamers and ribbons will help free up movement.

Nature
Take a walk out doors and just reflect on how good God is.


Elementary

The above can be used with the following added:

Floor Outline
Allow them to create an outline on the floor. It could be a word, symbol of God or a representation of their need. Allow them to walk it. (Make the shape from velcro dots or masking tape).

Authorship
Have them write their own prayer and make up the motions for it. Do it over and over with the words and then without the words.

Non-Word Prayer
Using their hands and body create a non word prayer and do it over and over.

Sidewalk Prayer
Learn a prayer and then say one word per sidewalk square. Walk up and down a sidewalk repeating the prayer.

Picture/Image Prayers
Find powerful, beautiful pictures and images of hope, God, life, etc. Lay them on the floor and have the child walk around them (music can be used as well) and reflect on what God is telling them in the pictures.

Labrynth
Walk a Labyrinth and as they go to the center encourage them focus on letting go of worries and fears and other issues they are working on. As they are in the center focus on the light of God and as they leave, have them try and focus on entering the world of problems with new peace and strength.


Early Teens

All of the above can be done with the addition of:

Drawing
Invite them to draw pictures of their fears or the issue they are exploring and have them walk them in prayer form.
Have them find a holy space outside and then design a prayer to be said as they walk to it. As they walk to the holy space have them repeat the prayer over and over.

Labrynth
Allow them, using huge paper to make their own labyrinth to either trace with their finger or walk. They can use meaningful shapes.


Extras for movement:
Music can help children relax and move more freely.
If a child is very shy or rigid you should begin moving and they can mirror you. Repeat it with them moving and you following. Explain that this is a way of praying together.



 


 
 
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