| Scripture Prayers
Purpose
Scripture is the living word of God. When it is spoken,
it is as if God was right there speaking. The word of God is an
experience of prayer because it allows us through these printed or
spoken word to hear the very sentences and words of God.
Babies
Find a soothing or
favorite passage of scripture and say it over and over to your baby. Be
assured that through your voice, God is speaking to the baby.
Holding your baby on your chest say scripture. Not only is the baby
hearing the scripture, they are feeling the vibrations of your chest
and throat as you speak, The baby is hearing and feeling the word of
God.
Toddlers
Any of the above can be used with the addition of the following:
- Make up motions to the scripture and teach them to your toddler, much like patty cake. Do it over and over.
- Read scripture aloud to your child and watch
for the words they especially like. Encourage them to repeat back to
you their favorite parts. Say the words at different levels and using a
lot of expression. Allow your child to enjoy the very sound of the
words.
- Give the child crayons or markers and paper.
As you read the scripture have them color. Delight in their creation
which has been inspired by the word of God.
Elementary
- Read
allow to the child and have them choose a scripture verse they would
like to learn. Memorize it and say it over and over. Make up motions to
go with it.
- Read
scripture and have them write words that “jump out” at them as you go.
Talk about the words they chose and why. Remember, no correcting
spelling.
- Make
a scripture placing one word on one index card. Then give them
scrambled to the child and have them unscramble it. Then scramble them
again and again and each time they unscramble them it will get faster
and easier. This allows time to focus on a scripture passage for a long
time.
- Give them crayons and have them draw the images that come to mind as you read the scripture.
- Allow them to read the scripture to you over and over. Try saying it at different voice levels and see what happens.
Early Teens
Allow
them to choose a scripture passage they really like and then find music
they like to play along. It could be one song, or many to create the
scripture. Play the music as you learn the scripture but then play the
music only and reflect silently on the words. Any music will do. Let
them use their favorites. -
Allow them to cut words from a
scripture passage out of magazines or piece words together using
separate letters. Glue the scripture on a sheet of paper board and then
add pictures and images either cut from magazines or drawn that remind
them of the scripture.
-
Have them write down the scripture,
one word on one index card and then mix them to create new sentences
that God might be saying.
-
Read a scripture passage over and
over and then have them write or draw their feelings or anything that
the scripture evokes in them.
More Ideas for Scripture Praying
Scripture
is beautiful but if the passages are too long it can seem hard to
understand and overwhelming. Keep the passages short to begin with and
increase the length as the process becomes more comfortable.
Light a candle as you begin reading to remind the child that these words are scared and holy.
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