Padlocks and keys

On the way to 5 Senses to Prayer Book 2 - #27

Hi friends

A small change in style this week. I’m sharing one prayer and only a short reflection above the paywall. Two other prayers are below the paywall. As well as prayers there’s a long section for paid subscribers as I make plans to finish the current series and start a new series and seek input.

Our prayers today include padlocks, keys and locking systems. They bring into focus our need to unlock ourselves to be free to share our burdens, to cry out for help to our God and to seek and find safety and protection for ourselves and for others.

I can lie down and sleep soundly because you, Lord, will keep me safe

Psalm 4:8 (CEV)

May our God be with you and keep you safe

On the journey

Caroline

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Padlock Prayer

Sense of Hearing – Supplication & Petition (SP.H.9)

Punch holes in small pieces of card. Write on each card a current challenge you’re facing where you’re feeling worried. Thread your needs onto a padlock. Lock the padlock.  Ask God to help you with these challenges and to release you from a sense of burden that you have with these things locked into your daily thinking. Unlock the padlock and offer a prayer of thanks to God for walking with you and hearing your prayer.

Further suggestions and adaptations on using this prayer

Prayer Station

Set up a metal grid on a wall with various padlocks attached. Lock the padlocks but leave the keys attached. Provide instructions so each participant knows to select a padlock, write on the cards and thread them through the padlock and relock the padlock to complete the prayer. Before they leave they will unlock the padlock. Decide if you would like them to take their padlock with them or provide instructions on how you want them to leave the statio for the next participants.

Individual

Add a padlock to your prayer kit and use this prayer when you’re feeling particularly burdened and stuck and your thoughts are locked up.

Small Group

Make use of a giant padlock so that everyone in the group can thread their prayers onto the same padlock. When the padlock is full of prayers lock it. Lead the group in a responsive prayer before unlocking the padlock. You may want to take some time to talk together about any burdens individuals in the group are facing and offer support to each other.

Large Group

Set up rope along the walls of the meeting space. The rope should be strong, pulled taut and able to carry the weight of many padlocks. Pass around buckets with padlocks, hole-punched cards, and pens. Invite each person in the group to thread their prayers onto their padlock and lock the padlock. Once they’ve locked the padlock invite them toward the rope to unlock their padlock and hook it over the strings as a prayerful acknowledgment of God hearing their prayer.