bath & wells: services for children and young people
schools & colleges
Seasonal Prayers - Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day Prayer and Meditation on Friendship
The celebration of love on Valentine's Day shows itself in friendship. Here is a prayer for reflection and meditation on some ways to be a friend.
May I remember
A friend I am
When coming to another's place of unrest
With affection and warmth of caring.
A friend I am
When listening openly, non-judgmentally
When judgment would be easy.
A friend I am
When taking extra time
To lend a helping hand, though busy.
A friend I am
When feeling your need
I act for you
As I would for myself.
Valentine's Day Prayer and Meditation on Friendship
What better way to begin meditating than with our heart feelings! Caring, sharing, kindness set the scene for a positive outlook all day.
To begin
Sit on the floor on a cushion or folded blanket, back straight, legs crossed, hands folded in lap or on thighs palms turned up - facing a small table. Alternately, sit straight in a chair, hands folded in lap or on thighs palms turned up.
Place a lighted candle and flowers on the table and burn incense if you'd like. For a heart meditation, it is nice to include a crystal on your meditation table.
Recite an invocation for peace amongst all lands
"May peace reign over all earth's lands
As we join together hands.
May our hearts light up with love
Inspired by caring from above."
Now, close your eyes and quietly begin even breathing: breathe in counts 1, 2; breathe out counts 3, 4; breathe in counts 1, 2 and continue for a minute.
Let go of the counting, and for a minute quietly enjoy the harmony even breathing brings.
Visualize your inner radiant heart expanding outwardly through caring feelings to include your loved ones, community, country, world family - stretching through the universe without limit. Hold these thoughts and enjoy the feeling of energization they bring into your body-mind.
Finish your meditation with a deep breath in and out and the resolve to put a caring attitude into action!
Valentine's Day
And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him
1 John 4:9
You will need
- a Valentine’s card
- one large heart-shaped piece of paper
- smaller hearts printed with the verse
- an envelope addressed to the group
Make or buy a large Valentine’s card and write the following words inside:
I love you so much. In fact I sent my own Son into the world to show you just how much.
Your loving Father, God.
Cut out a large paper heart and glue it inside the card to make a pocket by sticking down the edges of the two long sides of the heart and leaving the top open. Fill the pocket with tiny heart-shapes printed with the words of 1 John 4:9
Explain to the group that you have some special post addressed to the whole group. Open the envelope to reveal the Valentine’s card. Talk about the fact that it’s always fun wondering who the sender is and invite the group to guess. Open the card and read out the message. Explain that God doesn’t want anyone to be in doubt about how much he loves them. This Valentine card is not anonymous and it is not just for one special person, but for every single person in the group because we are all special to God. Take the small hearts out of the pocket inside the card and give one to each person. Explain that when we send Valentine’s cards we always hope to receive one in return. God’s greatest desire is that we will return his love.
Father God you created us and made us your own
Thank you for loving us
You sent your Son to tell us just how much you care
Thank you for loving us
You gave the life of Jesus so that we might live
Thank you for loving us
You go on and on loving us even when we don’t deserve it
Thank you for loving us
Help us to return your love
Amen
More Seasonal Prayers
|
