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Seasonal Prayers - Holidays

Off on holiday!

You will need a suitcase packed with props listed below.

As the summer term draws to an end, you might like to pray for people who are preparing to go on holiday. Bring in a suitcase in which you have put a few props that will be a reminder of different areas to pray about. Unpack the suitcase and hold up the items one at a time. Ask the children to suggest what each thing reminds us to pray for. Finally, weave all the suggestions into a prayer or give out the props and ask a number of children to contribute to the prayer.

You might like to include the following

• Passport  pray for those going abroad and thank God for the enjoyment of meeting people from other countries, ask for help in understanding other languages
• sun cream  pray for good weather and safety in the sun
• map  pray for safe travel and help in finding the best route
• bucket and spade, swimming costume, ball  thank God for all the different activities that may be enjoyed while on holiday
• pillow  pray for rest and relaxation for those who really need a holiday
• postcard  pray for any loved ones who will be left behind
• first aid box  pray for safety and good health throughout the holiday

Prayer postcard

You will need two or three postcards, sticky address labels and a large sheet of paper ruled to look like a postcard and addressed to God with a pretend stamp.

Show the children one or two postcards that you have received and read out any appropriate messages. Talk about how pleased you felt that friends remembered you when they were away. When we're on holiday our routine is different and sometimes we forget to pray. Give everyone a sticky label and ask them to write a short prayer message to God. They might want to say thank you for a holiday enjoyed, for a safe journey or good weather. They might want to say thank you for the chance to relax at home and see friends or just praise God for all the beautiful places and scenery that the holiday has given time to enjoy. Younger children might prefer to draw a place or activity that they have enjoyed while on holiday.

Invite the children to collect up all the labels and stick them on the large postcard while singing an appropriate worship song. Finish by thanking God for all the good things about holidays and including some of the messages on the postcard.

For holidays

At the end of a school term many children want to thank God for the holidays. Ask the group to list all the reasons that they enjoy the holidays and then weave all of their suggestions into a response prayer something like this:

Holidays give us time to rest and relax
So we say thank you, Lord.

Holidays give us time to spend with family and friends
So we say thank you, Lord.

Holidays give us time for fun and games
So we say thank you, Lord.

Holidays give us time to read new books
So we say thank you, Lord.

Holidays give us time to visit new places
So we say thank you, Lord.

More Seasonal Prayers