Prayer Trees

You might have seen my previous post with in-the-process photos of Prayer Trees commissioned by Asbury United Methodist Church. The trees are finished!  The Reign Forest Children's Ministry at Asbury UMC for preschool through Kindergarten wanted an interactive visual prayer wall for the children's sanctuary. Going along with the Reign Forest theme, the sanctuary is called the "Treehouse". What better visual than trees?

Prayer Tree 1

The trunk of the tree was hand-drawn and then cut out of steel for the use of magnets The circles are painted directly on the wall so that the trees look attractive when not in full use and for easy exchange in use of materials.

Prayer Tree 2

The black circles you see here, on top of the colored circles, are cut pieces of board painted with chalkboard paint.  At a later time, the goal is to be able to add extra circles for the use of different materials. For example, additional circles could have white board for the use of dry-erase markers and crayons, felt for felt stories, laminated paper products for post-its, and even mirrors. Children are given specific directives and guides for prayer. The use of different kinds of tools for expression enables them to be more creative.

For example, in the following scenario, it would help fuel the children's thought process to have a

mirror to see themselves in.

Scriptural focus:

Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Directive: You are beautiful exactly the way that God made you! What has God made that you think is beautiful?

  

Carpet View

The circles can be removed from the wall and

taken down to the floor for the children to use

at their level.

I couldn't help but say some prayers over the tree and the children that would be using it. 

If you or your church might be interested in an interactive visual prayer wall, please leave a comment or contact me at thespiritorchard@gmail.com.