Word Games and Optical Illusions

On the way to 5 Senses to Prayer Book 2 - #25

Hi friends

Prayer is like a direct messaging service… a personal private connection between us and God. We regularly pick up our phone to make a call, clear an email or send or read a message connecting us with friends, colleagues and family. These conversations both in person and through our modern technological ways of messaging, are essential for our relationships to thrive. In the same way, prayer connects us to God. We don’t have to pray for God to know what we need in our lives, but when we pray we purposefully connect and pay attention.

When you pray, don't talk on and on as people do who don't know God. They think God likes to hear long prayers. Don't be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask.

Matthew 6:7-8 (CEV)

A suggested practice for our Lenten prayers is to focus on God at work in our lives. We dig in deeper in our faith journeying with intention. Lent as a season calls us to be present with our God. If we’ve moved away from God, the invitation is to turn back and come close again. Restoration, mercy, grace and love are the gifts God freely offers us.

In turn, as we reflect and ponder and pray, we too respond in ways that show we are living out our faith. We offer grace and forgiveness to others, we spread God’s kindness and mercy, we give of our time and resources generously. These things aren’t just about ticking boxes on a Lent checklist. They’re about connection with God and connection with God’s work in our world, in the world around us. Being open to God doing something in our lives is part of our Lent experience.

Prayer begins with us talking to God. Like any conversation, prayer can take place anywhere at anytime. This week’s prayers involve activities. They likely are not the activities you’re planning in your week ahead. You could use these prayers as ‘circuit breakers’ from your daily routines, allowing you time to focus on God. Alternatively, adapt the prayers or use them both as starter ideas to create your own prayers while you are working or relaxing in whatever activities consume your time right now.

Offer praise to God our Savior because of our Lord Jesus Christ! Only God can keep you from falling and make you pure and joyful in his glorious presence. Before time began and now and forever, God is worthy of glory, honor, power, and authority. Amen.

Jude 1:24-25 (CEV)

May you find connection with God this week in life and in prayer

On the journey

Caroline

PS. Substack has introduced a new direct messaging service. It doesn’t replace the comments section which everyone can read, but if you did want to message me directly you can use this new feature. I will do my best to respond promptly.

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Word Game Prayer

Sense of Sight – Adoration & Praise (AP.SI.7)

Word games and puzzles continue to be popular whether played online, with pencil and paper or using letter tiles or dice. Sometimes it can be a challenge to think of tricky words to solve the puzzle or play the game. Thinking of words that describe God can also be a challenge. What are the characteristics of God? Talk about the characteristics of God that you have personally experienced.  What happened? What have you appreciated about God? Using letter tiles make up words that describe some of the characteristics of God you are grateful to have experienced. Say aloud your praise as you make up your word. “God you are…”

Further suggestions and adaptations on using this prayer

Prayer Station

Set up a table station with letter tiles spread out. Rule up a grid on a large piece of card with the squares the same size as letter tiles.  Print out the prayer and have this on display including instructions to leave the words on the board for others to add a word. Display images of crosswords on the walls or tables. Have a dictionary or a thesaurus at the station for both display and for actual use. This could be used as a prayer station for a larger group at the entry and exit points from the building, or in the area where a cup of tea or coffee is served as part of the gathered together experience.

Individual

Set up a word game board on your coffee table in the lounge for a week. Every day add a new word or rearrange the tiles to create other words. Pray looking at the board as you have a cup of coffee.  Invite guests to your home to participate in this prayer or other members of your household to participate as they sit near the coffee table.

Small Group

In the middle of your gathering set up a word game on a coffee table or table when refreshments are being served. Invite people to make a word during the coffee break and to pray as they read the words others have made. Leave the board on display. At a given point in your gathering invite the whole group to read from the board and take turns saying a “God you are...” prayer.  You could set up another table(s) so participants could make a nametag or significant faith word to take home as a prayer reminder.

Visual Images - Static, Projected, Live Props

·       Word letter tiles

·       Tiles being arranged into words that describe God

Getting ready checklist

·       Letter tiles (print on cardboard and cutout tiles or use tiles from a word game)

·       Flat surface