The Bishop Convocation on Prayer

What is Prayer?

Children In Prayer

• “A solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship.”

• How would you describe prayer to a child?• Break into groups and come up with five

descriptors to help children understand what is prayer.

• Would the descriptors change if you were communicating the same message to youth?

Acronym on prayer: A.C.T.S

A: adoration: Praise God for who He is. Praise Him for His character and for His Faithfulness.

C: confession: A time of silence. A time to tell God all about it.

T: thanksgiving:Give God thanks for answering prayers. Give God thanks for being there for you.S: Supplication: Praying for others.

Multiple Intelligence

Visual-Spatial

• Think in terms of physical space, as do architects and sailors. They are very aware of their environments. They like to draw, do jigsaw puzzles, read maps, and daydream. They can be taught through drawings, verbal and physical imagery.

• Tools include: Models Videoconferencing Graphics Television Charts Multimedia Photographs Text with pictures/charts/graphs Drawings 3-D modeling Video

Bodily-Kinesthetic • Use the body effectively, like a dancer or a surgeon. Keen

sense of body awareness. They like movement, making things and touching. They communicate well through body language and be taught through physical activity, hands-on learning, acting out, role playing.

• Tools include: Equipment and real objects.

Musical

• Show sensitivity to rhythm and sound. They love music, but they are also sensitive to sounds in their environments. They may study better with music in the background. They can be taught by turning lessons into lyrics, speaking rhythmically and tapping out time.

• Tools include: Musical instruments Music Radio Stereo CD-ROM Multimedia

Interpersonal • Understanding, Interacting with others. These students

learn through interaction. They have many friends, empathy for others, street smarts. They can be taught through group activities, seminars, dialogues.

• Tools include: The telephone Audio conferencing Time and attention from the instructor Video conferencing Writing Computer conferencing E-mail.

Intrapersonal• Understanding one’s own interest and goals. These learners

tend to shy away from others. They’re in tune with their inner feelings; they have wisdom, intuition and motivation, as well as a strong will, confidence and opinions. They can be taught through independent study and introspection.

• Tools include: Books Creative materials Diaries Privacy Time *They are the most independent of the learners.

Linguistic• Using words effectively. These learners have highly developed

auditory skills and often think in words. They like reading, playing word games, making up poetry or stories. They can be taught by encouraging them to say and see words and read books together.

• Tools include: Computers Games Multimedia Books Tape recorders Lecture Speech

Writing

Reading

Logical-Mathematical • Reasoning, Calculating. Think conceptually, abstractly and are

able to see and explore patterns and relationships. They like to experiment, solve puzzles, ask cosmic questions. They can be taught through logic games, investigations, mysteries. They need to learn and form concepts before they can deal with details.

• At first, it may seem impossible to teach to all learning styles. However, as we move into using a mix of media or multimedia, it becomes easier. As we understand learning styles,

it becomes apparent why multimedia appeals to learners and why a mix of media may embody or that a class embodies. A review of the literature shows that a variety of decisions must be made when choosing media that is appropriate to learning style.

Break into groups

▪ Choose a multiple Intelligence for your group.

▪ Prepare a lesson on Prayer using the multiple Intelligence

you have chosen.

Psalm 23The LORD is __________; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down_________: he leadeth me beside_____________.

3 He restoreth my _____: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his ________.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of__________, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy ____ and thy

________ they comfort me.5 Thou preparest a table before me ______________:

thou anointest my head with oil; my____ runneth over.6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days

of my life: and ______________of the LORD for ever.

The Lord’s Prayer

• Our Father, who art in _______, hallowed be thy Name,

thy ______ come, thy will be done,

on earth as it is in _____. Give us this day our daily bread. And _______us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who ______ against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver ________. For thine is the kingdom,

and ________, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

G.A.P. • I prayed…………• God answered…….• God taught me…….

Memorized Prayers

dddd

▪ Choose a verse

▪ Start Small

▪ Write it down

▪ Say it out loud

▪ Incorporate the verse into your prayers.

▪ Use music/ make a poem out of it.

▪ Do it in a different Language.

▪ Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

How to teach people to pray spontaneous prayers?

Spontaneous Prayers• Prayer is part of a living friendship with God. Here are some words from

Psalm 42 that illustrate this relationship:-

“By day the LORD directs his love, at night his song is with me- a prayer to the God of my life" (Psalm 42:8, NIV) “

This passage can be translated as "prayer to God is my life". In other words, prayer can be as naturally interwoven in our lives as breathing or eating. Prayer can happen in our thought lives as a reaction to things as the day progresses. These prayers can be very short, spontaneous moments amidst the busyness of life. They can also be turned into spoken prayer, just as we would speak to a friend or loved one.

Resources

• Sprout in a disciple group• The way of the Child

• Godly Play