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Creating Seasonal Prayer Services
by Kate Ristow

During the major seasons of the liturgical year, catechists want to plan special prayer experiences for children that will help them enter into the rhythm and flow of the church year. Here are some tips for planning successful prayer services.

Keep the Larger Picture in Mind
Prayer experiences with children should mirror and reinforce the prayer of the parish community. As much as possible, incorporate into your prayer the signs, Scripture, songs, and symbols that are being emphasized in the Sunday liturgies. It is not unusual for parishes to write or select a special prayer to be prayed at all parish meetings and gatherings during a major season. Other parishes also plan special events for families or students during Advent or Lent. It is important that you are aware of any planning that has been done so that your prayer services will compliment and build on larger parish efforts.

Decorate Your Sacred Space
Change the colors of the table covering on your prayer table. Use cloths that reflect the season you are currently observing: purple for Advent, shades of green for Ordinary Time, deep purple for Lent, and white for the seasons of Christmas and Easter. Include one of the primary symbols (cross, Bible, light, water, oil, bread, wine) on the table. You could also add seasonal symbols: a wreath made from real greens and candles during Advent, a cross and palm branch during Lent.

Incorporate Ritual in Your Prayer
Invite everyone to participate actively in prayer by using symbols and ritual actions. During the four weeks of Advent, the children and families can make a prayer chain, creating links for the people and situations in our world that are in need of the Lord's presence. Have the children join hands for prayer; have them extend their arms over the prayer table or another classmate; have them trace the sign of the cross on a partner's forehead. Have them reverence the Bible by bowing deeply before it, one at a time, or by placing their hand on it while repeating the phrase, "Your word gives me life, O Lord."

Use Seasonal Scriptures
Use the Sunday readings for prayer and reflection. Hearing the Sunday Gospel again will serve to reinforce what they heard. Plan to use the Sunday responsorial refrain during your prayer service. The responses are simple and mantra-like, so you will not need to prepare a worship aid.

You Don't Have to Reinvent the Wheel
Meaningful prayer experiences are often found in a special section of catechist's manuals, along with special lessons for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. They are age appropriate and usually do not require a lot of additional planning. Take advantage of anything and everything your parish offers to help you pray with children during these special seasons