Prayer based on the gifts of God

Introduction

This could be used at Christmas or Easter as a reflection on the wise men bringing gifts to Jesus.

Preparation

You will need four gift-wrapped boxes in plain gold and red ribbons, in different sizes.

Development

Talk about how gifts are surprises. We don’t know what’s inside, but the unwrapping can be as exciting as finding out what’s inside.

I wonder what could be in this gift? Hold up the largest box

Perhaps it is for all the things that God gives to us. He gives us everything we need. I wonder what you would like to thank God for? As I hold up this gift, you might like to thank God for that one gift. You can say your thank you silently, knowing that God will hear your prayer.

It may be possible to pass the box around for specific prayer ideas from children.

I wonder what could be in this gift? Hold up the next largest box Perhaps this could be what we would ask God to give to other people, maybe to someone we love or someone we don’t even know but who is in need. I wonder what you would ask God to give someone else? As I hold up this gift, you might like to ask God to give that gift to someone.

If possible pass the box around then put it with the other one.

I wonder what this gift could be? Hold up next largest box. Perhaps this could be a gift or a skill that you already have but which you can give to others. It may be a way of helping someone, or something you can do well that might be useful to someone else. I wonder what you can give back to God by giving it to someone? As I hold up this gift, you might like to offer your gift to God silently.

If possible pass it round as before and place it by the other two.

I wonder what this smallest gift could be? Hold up the smallest box. Perhaps this is the thing you would ask God to give to you. I wonder what is in this smallest box? Wait to see if you get answers. I wonder what you would ask God for, for yourself? As I hold up this gift, ask God for what you would like silently.

If possible pass it around as before and place it with the others.

I wonder which of these gifts is most important?
I wonder which we really trust God to give us?
I wonder how we will know if our prayers for other people are answered?
I wonder how we will feel when our prayers for ourselves are answered?