Something Really Special for Children’s Prayer

For home and school

A beautiful, unique collection of 52 Scripture Affirmation Prayer Cards for children, with reflections and simple rituals.

No more worry or pressure

These Prayer Cards and their signature Prayer Candle, are the ideal prayer resource for children from ages 8 - 12. Each of the 52 cards contains a simple scripture quote with a brief reflection and a personal ritual which concludes with an affirmation mantra.

No need to prepare aids, or props or resources! With these Prayer Cards, all you need for simple, meaningful and formative prayer with your class, is the awareness of your children and familiarity with the Prayer Cards.

The purpose of the Prayer Cards

• To foster and promote in children a more intimate, personal and relevant sense of God and prayer
• To immerse children and teachers in the wisdom, beauty and tenderness of God's Word
• To help children become more familiar with the Word as a living and meaningful Word
• To integrate an awareness of God into the daily reality and life experience of children
• To support teachers in moments of prayer and ritual with children
  

How to use the Prayer Cards

For daily class prayer.

Sit the children in a circle around the Prayer Candle with the Word of God opened beside it. Shuffle the Prayer Cards and then place them on the open Word. When the children are settled have one child come and choose a Prayer Card for the whole group. Read the card to the group and lead them in the simple ritual. Follow up, if desired, with a song, or journal writing, or reflective discussion.

For individual prayer and reflection.

Have the children sit in a circle around the Prayer Candle and Word of God. The Prayer Cards are passed round the circle and each child takes a card for themselves and reads it privately. Allow time for their responses.

For meditation and journal writing.

Prepare the children for meditation. Choose a card for the whole group and read it to them. Let the Prayer Card Ritual lead into a meditation. When the meditation has ended, direct the children to go to their journals and write or draw in response to this experience.
(Helpful notes on meditation with children are available on www.liturgyplanning.com - Children's Meditation Page)

For special occasions or experiences such as:

• Class members' birthdays
• Beginning and end of term
• Class and individual achievements and celebrations
• Class and individual issues, tensions or concerns

What children are saying about the Prayer Cards

"The Prayer Cards are good because when I read them I think about the kind of person I am...if I am a loving and caring person. They are also good because they can help you with problems with family and friends."

"Made me feel important and special."

"The card helped me feel ...relaxed and safe."

"I liked the way the Word of God was repeated…it helped me to really hear the words."

"They help us to do things we forget to do like look at nature."

"The language was really easy for me to understand."

"The 'Remember' part of the card …will stay with me all the time."

"Gave me time to just be with God instead of rushing around."

What teachers are saying about the Prayer Cards

"These prayer cards are FANTASTIC. I have 'visited' them several times through the week and believe them to be a great resource and support for teachers and a wonderfully rich prayer opportunity for students."

"I think these cards are fabulous and would be a great way to develop meditation skills in the children. As part of a regular prayer routine, it is another way to help the children find God in their very busy lives."

"I really think the 'remember' aspect of the cards is great. It can become a mantra for those children who are not so good at praying spontaneously."

"These Prayer Cards are a beautiful way for teachers to be present to their children round the Word of God, through reflection, stillness and quiet prayer."