Push, Play & Pray #3

Playing with Clay

Our Push, Play and Pray series is about process. It’s in the process of pushing, pulling, moulding and shaping where we make the space to pray. The end product, if there is one, is ‘extra’ and in most cases not important.

Over the years when we’ve used experiential prayers in worship experiences, visitors will assume we are ‘doing craft’ and that the goal is about making something related to the theme. This assumption then creates a pressure that there is a performance level required and a standard response is ‘I’m not very good’ or ‘I don’t do craft’. Some people assume we’ve included prayers such to entertain children and so count themselves out on the basis of their age.

The process of pushing and playing sets the stage to pray. This isn’t about being good at craft, or having an ability to make things, or being a certain age. Experiential prayer is about getting our senses involved and activating sensory signals to our brains, which in turn helps us focus and form thoughts and pray.

You, Lord, are our Father.
    We are nothing but clay,
but you are the potter
    who molded us.

Isaiah 64:8 CEV

When we focus on process not product, we shift our thinking from destination to journey. Our faith is a journey and our prayers reflect this journeying process. Today’s prayers introduce playing and praying with clay. There are many different kinds of clay. The two we’ll use today can be purchased from a local hardware or stationery store or online from an art supply store.

The intention of today’s prayers is not to make a finished product, but to use the process to connect with God prayerfully. I encourage you to approach these with an openness and willingness to play. I also invite and encourage you to leave behind thoughts of having ability or experience or being too young or too old to participate in these prayers.

May you find peace in your playing and praying

On the journey

Caroline