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This is a setup for a 10 station prayer service for a church. Certain supplies are needed for each station. Supplies are listed under each of the headings for the stations. The goal is to draw closer to Jesus and live out our faith on a daily basis.
1. The Birth of Christ
Supplies: (plastic gift bags)
When we consider the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus, we often default to the most famous verse on the matter: Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
It’s a beautiful verse that speaks of hope and the promised Savior.
But today, let’s look at the book of John, and specifically, chapter one, verses one and 14. These verses say, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
They remind us of the magnitude of this moment in history. We already know that this wasn’t the birth of just any baby. This was the physical birth of the eternal God in the form of man. Jesus didn’t come into existence at the first Christmas because He has always existed.
He came for us. He came to save us.
Sit down and pray that God would help you understand just how amazing it is that the word of God himself grew in the womb of a woman and was born 2,000 years ago.
Thank the Lord for this amazing gift.
Then take one of the bags available, and sometime next week, fill the bag with food or hygiene products, and give it as a gift to a friend, a neighbor or a complete stranger, or leave it at someone’s door.
The Cross
Where He who knew no sin,
Died that we may be free from sin.
The Cross
Where He was wounded for transgressions;
And bruised for our iniquities.
The Cross
Reminds us that at the end of that Holy Week
Jesus suffered death upon such a cross.
The Cross
His crucifixion was a despicable act of mankind;
Yet an act of incredible love by God.
John 19:25-27 - “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
Prayer:
Take time to prayerfully contemplate the cross.
Thank the Lord for the cross.
Consider how much it cost Jesus to do this.
Praise the Lord for His gift.
What message do you need to see from the Lord? What reminder do you need from the cross of Christ?
Take a Cross of “Grace” or Take a cross of “Blessing” or Take a cross of “Courage & Strength”
4. Waiting on God – A Candle to Celebrate
Supplies: Gift candles, one per person
Are you waiting on the Lord for an answer to prayer? Sit down and talk to God right now. What is a prayer request that you’ve been praying for a while that God is telling you: “I will answer! Wait on me!”
Seek God right now. What is he asking you to wait on? Then read these scriptures several times:
Psalm 27:14 - "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Isaiah 30:18 - "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
Prayer: “Father God, We trust you. We wait patiently on you. We wait humbly for our Master to act. We do not grumble or complain. We trust you completely. We love you. We know God you will answer, and we already see your answer coming, indeed it is here, in Jesus name, Amen.”
Take one of the candles home, and set it in a place where you’ll see it at home. When the day comes that God answers the request you are waiting on, light the candle to celebrate God’s faithfulness.
5. Light a Salvation Candle
Supplies: Tall candles (enough for the each person to light one)
We all have people in our lives that we desperately want to know Jesus Christ as Lord and savior.
Think about the person you would like to light a candle for. Consider the salvation of Jesus Christ. Then pick one or several of the following prayers and pray for that person.
Open Their Eyes and Minds Prayer
Mighty God, I pray that they may get to know you and know how great you are. Deliver them from the hands of Satan, who has blinded them from seeing the light of the Good News. Open their eyes to see your goodness. Open their minds to understand your sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Save them. Amen.
Experience Your Peace Prayer
Lord, My heart bleeds for my loved ones. They are entangled by sin. Their hearts are hardened. They take your love for granted. As our light and our salvation, Lord, save them. Let them understand the peace of Christ. Draw them close to you that they may experience your peace which surpasses understanding. Let your Spirit guide their way home. In Jesus name, Amen.
Let Them Look up to You Prayer
Jesus Christ, You laid down your life on the cross so that our sins are forgiven. You endured so much pain and humiliation so that we have eternal life. I pray that my loved ones look beyond this physical life, and see you in all your glory. Weaken their dependence on their power. Lead them to you. Amen.
Soften Their Hearts Prayer
Loving Father, I humble before you, asking for your help in bringing my unsaved loved ones to you. They are caught up in the world of sin. Soften their hearts to understand that you’ve paid the full price for their sins by sacrificing your only son. All they have to do is accept the gift of your forgiveness. Let them give up their worldly pleasures and seek your kingdom first. Let everything they do bring glory to you. Hold their hands to salvation. Amen.
Then Light a candle for your unsaved love one, believing God can do anything.
6. Fridge Magnet – Repeat
Supplies: Fridge magnets with encouraging scriptures on them
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” -Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV
We as humans are stubborn and hard-headed. We need to hear and see things repeatedly before they work themselves into our mind and heart.
Prayer
O Lord God, we praise you that your word is powerful. It cuts down deep into us, bringing change and healing. Please God repeat your truth to us over and over until it becomes part of who we are, in our minds and in our hearts. In Jesus name, Amen.
Ask God which reminder he wants you to place on your fridge, then take it, and read it every time you open the fridge at home.
7. Bookmark
Supplies: Names of Jesus bookmarks (available online)
Take one of the bookmarks with the names of Jesus written on it. Sit down with the bookmark and contemplate who Jesus Christ is to you and to the human race.
Repeat each of the names of Jesus listed on the card out loud, thinking about what each means. Let God speak to you about who He is to you, for you, and for the world, for His glory.
Names of Jesus: Alpha & Omega, Immanuel, King of Kings, Light of the World, Morning Star, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Lamb of God, Savior of the World, The Good Shepherd, The Way, Lord of Lords, Anointed One, Bread of Life, Chief Cornerstone, Great High Priest, Heir of All Things, Holy and Righteous One, Lord of Glory, Messiah, Teacher, The Most Holy, The Truth, Word of God.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you that you are our Lord, our God, our Friend, our Counselor, our Savior, our Master, our Brother, our Beloved, in your name we pray, Amen.
Keep the Bookmark as a reminder of who Christ is to you.
8. Jesus Fish – Glow Brighter
Supplies: Jesus fish key chains, glow in the dark
The Greek word for fish is "ichthys." As early as the first century, Christians made an acrostic from this word: Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter, i.e. Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
The fish has plenty of other theological overtones as well, for Christ fed the 5,000 with 2 fishes and 5 loaves (a meal recapitulated in Christian love-feasts) and called his disciples "fishers of men."
Water baptism, practiced by immersion in the early church, created a parallel between fish and converts. Second-century theologian Tertullian put it this way: "we, little fishes, after the image of our Ichthys, Jesus Christ, are born in the water."
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, we thank you that you are our provider. Your multiplied the loaves and fishes for the five thousand, and similarly you are the bread of life, you are our provider. We trust you to provide for all our needs. Nothing we have belongs to us, it all belongs to you. We are little fishes Lord, after the image of Jesus Christ, born again of the Spirit, in Jesus name, amen.
Take one of the fish, as a reminder you a little fish of Christ, or take one of the glow in the dark key chains, to remind yourself that you glow in the dark when Christ fills you. Remember it all belongs to God. You are just a steward.
9. Body of Christ – Bread
When we consider the Christmas story and the birth of Jesus, we often default to the most famous verse on the matter: Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
It’s a beautiful verse that speaks of hope and the promised Savior.
But today, let’s look at the book of John, and specifically, chapter one, verses one and 14. These verses say, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
They remind us of the magnitude of this moment in history. We already know that this wasn’t the birth of just any baby. This was the physical birth of the eternal God in the form of man. Jesus didn’t come into existence at the first Christmas because He has always existed.
He came for us. He came to save us.
Sit down and pray that God would help you understand just how amazing it is that the word of God himself grew in the womb of a woman and was born 2,000 years ago.
Thank the Lord for this amazing gift.
Then take one of the bags available, and sometime next week, fill the bag with food or hygiene products, and give it as a gift to a friend, a neighbor or a complete stranger, or leave it at someone’s door.
2. Jesus Loves Me – in Color
Supplies: Paper Pictures of the Cross and crayons/markers
Here you see blank white crosses. But God is a God of beautiful colors. In the past we lived empty, miserable lives, they were dull, gray-scale, sad. But then we came to know Jesus, and he made us alive. He brought color into our lives and it was beautiful.
At station two, sit down, and consider the various colors, and as you color your cross, let God speak to you about how he brought color into your life.
Red - In the Bible, the Hebrew word for red is Oudem. Its actual meaning is “red clay”. Many biblical names (Adam, Esau and Edom) are derived from this Hebrew word which means flesh.
Yellow - The second primary color is yellow. The counterpart of this color is also mentioned in God’s principle and in I Peter 1:7, God talks about trials and purging. (The trial of faith will be more precious than Gold and be tried with fire). Here the meaning is: yellow is associated with purification through difficulty
Blue - Blue is the third primary color. It spiritually signifies the Healing Power of God. It is the most sublime subject and color which biblically represents the Word of God. The very fact that the Sky is blue stands for the presence of Yahweh. God’s chosen nation Israel is also denoted as blue from the time of David.
Green - Green is obtained by mixing yellow (trials) with blue (Word of God). Therefore, the biblical meaning of the color green is immortality. (The leaf shall not wither (psalm 1:3). Green is also symbolic of resurrection which we see each Spring.
Orange - Orange is obtained by mixing red (flesh) and yellow (trials). The result is a color of fire which represents the Fire of God, deliverance and passionate praise.
Purple - Purple is obtained by mixing red (flesh) and blue (Word of God). The resultant color meaning in the Bible is royalty or priesthood.
Take your colored cross to remind you of God’s beauty in your life.
3. Turn to the Cross – Receive Jesus Christ
Supplies: Mini free-standing crosses marked with "grace" "blessing" and "courage and strength"
Here you see blank white crosses. But God is a God of beautiful colors. In the past we lived empty, miserable lives, they were dull, gray-scale, sad. But then we came to know Jesus, and he made us alive. He brought color into our lives and it was beautiful.
At station two, sit down, and consider the various colors, and as you color your cross, let God speak to you about how he brought color into your life.
Red - In the Bible, the Hebrew word for red is Oudem. Its actual meaning is “red clay”. Many biblical names (Adam, Esau and Edom) are derived from this Hebrew word which means flesh.
Yellow - The second primary color is yellow. The counterpart of this color is also mentioned in God’s principle and in I Peter 1:7, God talks about trials and purging. (The trial of faith will be more precious than Gold and be tried with fire). Here the meaning is: yellow is associated with purification through difficulty
Blue - Blue is the third primary color. It spiritually signifies the Healing Power of God. It is the most sublime subject and color which biblically represents the Word of God. The very fact that the Sky is blue stands for the presence of Yahweh. God’s chosen nation Israel is also denoted as blue from the time of David.
Green - Green is obtained by mixing yellow (trials) with blue (Word of God). Therefore, the biblical meaning of the color green is immortality. (The leaf shall not wither (psalm 1:3). Green is also symbolic of resurrection which we see each Spring.
Orange - Orange is obtained by mixing red (flesh) and yellow (trials). The result is a color of fire which represents the Fire of God, deliverance and passionate praise.
Purple - Purple is obtained by mixing red (flesh) and blue (Word of God). The resultant color meaning in the Bible is royalty or priesthood.
Take your colored cross to remind you of God’s beauty in your life.
3. Turn to the Cross – Receive Jesus Christ
Supplies: Mini free-standing crosses marked with "grace" "blessing" and "courage and strength"
The Cross
Where He who knew no sin,
Died that we may be free from sin.
The Cross
Where He was wounded for transgressions;
And bruised for our iniquities.
The Cross
Reminds us that at the end of that Holy Week
Jesus suffered death upon such a cross.
The Cross
His crucifixion was a despicable act of mankind;
Yet an act of incredible love by God.
John 19:25-27 - “Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”
Prayer:
Take time to prayerfully contemplate the cross.
Thank the Lord for the cross.
Consider how much it cost Jesus to do this.
Praise the Lord for His gift.
What message do you need to see from the Lord? What reminder do you need from the cross of Christ?
Take a Cross of “Grace” or Take a cross of “Blessing” or Take a cross of “Courage & Strength”
4. Waiting on God – A Candle to Celebrate
Supplies: Gift candles, one per person
Are you waiting on the Lord for an answer to prayer? Sit down and talk to God right now. What is a prayer request that you’ve been praying for a while that God is telling you: “I will answer! Wait on me!”
Seek God right now. What is he asking you to wait on? Then read these scriptures several times:
Psalm 27:14 - "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
2 Peter 3:9 - "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Isaiah 30:18 - "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
Prayer: “Father God, We trust you. We wait patiently on you. We wait humbly for our Master to act. We do not grumble or complain. We trust you completely. We love you. We know God you will answer, and we already see your answer coming, indeed it is here, in Jesus name, Amen.”
Take one of the candles home, and set it in a place where you’ll see it at home. When the day comes that God answers the request you are waiting on, light the candle to celebrate God’s faithfulness.
5. Light a Salvation Candle
Supplies: Tall candles (enough for the each person to light one)
We all have people in our lives that we desperately want to know Jesus Christ as Lord and savior.
Think about the person you would like to light a candle for. Consider the salvation of Jesus Christ. Then pick one or several of the following prayers and pray for that person.
Open Their Eyes and Minds Prayer
Mighty God, I pray that they may get to know you and know how great you are. Deliver them from the hands of Satan, who has blinded them from seeing the light of the Good News. Open their eyes to see your goodness. Open their minds to understand your sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ. Save them. Amen.
Experience Your Peace Prayer
Lord, My heart bleeds for my loved ones. They are entangled by sin. Their hearts are hardened. They take your love for granted. As our light and our salvation, Lord, save them. Let them understand the peace of Christ. Draw them close to you that they may experience your peace which surpasses understanding. Let your Spirit guide their way home. In Jesus name, Amen.
Let Them Look up to You Prayer
Jesus Christ, You laid down your life on the cross so that our sins are forgiven. You endured so much pain and humiliation so that we have eternal life. I pray that my loved ones look beyond this physical life, and see you in all your glory. Weaken their dependence on their power. Lead them to you. Amen.
Soften Their Hearts Prayer
Loving Father, I humble before you, asking for your help in bringing my unsaved loved ones to you. They are caught up in the world of sin. Soften their hearts to understand that you’ve paid the full price for their sins by sacrificing your only son. All they have to do is accept the gift of your forgiveness. Let them give up their worldly pleasures and seek your kingdom first. Let everything they do bring glory to you. Hold their hands to salvation. Amen.
Then Light a candle for your unsaved love one, believing God can do anything.
6. Fridge Magnet – Repeat
Supplies: Fridge magnets with encouraging scriptures on them
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” -Deuteronomy 6:4-9 NIV
We as humans are stubborn and hard-headed. We need to hear and see things repeatedly before they work themselves into our mind and heart.
Prayer
O Lord God, we praise you that your word is powerful. It cuts down deep into us, bringing change and healing. Please God repeat your truth to us over and over until it becomes part of who we are, in our minds and in our hearts. In Jesus name, Amen.
Ask God which reminder he wants you to place on your fridge, then take it, and read it every time you open the fridge at home.
7. Bookmark
Supplies: Names of Jesus bookmarks (available online)
Take one of the bookmarks with the names of Jesus written on it. Sit down with the bookmark and contemplate who Jesus Christ is to you and to the human race.
Repeat each of the names of Jesus listed on the card out loud, thinking about what each means. Let God speak to you about who He is to you, for you, and for the world, for His glory.
Names of Jesus: Alpha & Omega, Immanuel, King of Kings, Light of the World, Morning Star, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Lamb of God, Savior of the World, The Good Shepherd, The Way, Lord of Lords, Anointed One, Bread of Life, Chief Cornerstone, Great High Priest, Heir of All Things, Holy and Righteous One, Lord of Glory, Messiah, Teacher, The Most Holy, The Truth, Word of God.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we thank you that you are our Lord, our God, our Friend, our Counselor, our Savior, our Master, our Brother, our Beloved, in your name we pray, Amen.
Keep the Bookmark as a reminder of who Christ is to you.
8. Jesus Fish – Glow Brighter
Supplies: Jesus fish key chains, glow in the dark
The Greek word for fish is "ichthys." As early as the first century, Christians made an acrostic from this word: Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter, i.e. Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.
The fish has plenty of other theological overtones as well, for Christ fed the 5,000 with 2 fishes and 5 loaves (a meal recapitulated in Christian love-feasts) and called his disciples "fishers of men."
Water baptism, practiced by immersion in the early church, created a parallel between fish and converts. Second-century theologian Tertullian put it this way: "we, little fishes, after the image of our Ichthys, Jesus Christ, are born in the water."
Prayer: Lord God Almighty, we thank you that you are our provider. Your multiplied the loaves and fishes for the five thousand, and similarly you are the bread of life, you are our provider. We trust you to provide for all our needs. Nothing we have belongs to us, it all belongs to you. We are little fishes Lord, after the image of Jesus Christ, born again of the Spirit, in Jesus name, amen.
Take one of the fish, as a reminder you a little fish of Christ, or take one of the glow in the dark key chains, to remind yourself that you glow in the dark when Christ fills you. Remember it all belongs to God. You are just a steward.
9. Body of Christ – Bread
Supplies: Bread or croutons
On the Thursday evening of Holy Week Jesus gathered with His disciples in the Upper Room. These croutons remind us of the disciples gathered in the Upper Room for the Passover and the Last Supper. Those persons gathered about the table found new meaning and purpose for their lives. As Jesus took a loaf of bread, the very basis of life, and shared it, He said, “As often as you eat of this bread, do it in remembrance of me.” The symbol reminds us that we are part of His gathered community in this world. The last supper Jesus shared with his disciples, indeed, we are part of today. The same is true of the call to ministry which we accept as members of His community.
Matthew 26: 26-29 - “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
Take a crouton and eat it to symbolize your part in the body of Christ. You are part of the family of Christ around the world. You are the hands and feet of Jesus.
Prayer - Dear God, we are thankful for the community which Jesus your Son brought into being. We ask that we have the continuing spirit to be faithful members of the community. Amen.
10. An Empty Grave
FINAL GREETING: The proof of the Resurrection of Christ is not an empty tomb, but an Easter people whose lives have been transformed and who love and follow Jesus.
Let's celebrate that with a responsive “Hallelujah!”
CHRIST IS ALIVE IN THE WORLD
Hallelujah!
CHRIST IS ALIVE IN ME!
Hallelujah!
THROUGH MY TEARS I WILL SEE HIS FACE
Hallelujah!
IN MY CONFUSION I WILL SEEK HIS GUIDANCE
Hallelujah!
IN MY SIN I WILL REPENT AND RECEIVE HIS FORGIVENESS
Hallelujah!
IN MY DEATH I WILL CLAIM ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM
Hallelujah!
On the Thursday evening of Holy Week Jesus gathered with His disciples in the Upper Room. These croutons remind us of the disciples gathered in the Upper Room for the Passover and the Last Supper. Those persons gathered about the table found new meaning and purpose for their lives. As Jesus took a loaf of bread, the very basis of life, and shared it, He said, “As often as you eat of this bread, do it in remembrance of me.” The symbol reminds us that we are part of His gathered community in this world. The last supper Jesus shared with his disciples, indeed, we are part of today. The same is true of the call to ministry which we accept as members of His community.
Matthew 26: 26-29 - “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom."
Take a crouton and eat it to symbolize your part in the body of Christ. You are part of the family of Christ around the world. You are the hands and feet of Jesus.
Prayer - Dear God, we are thankful for the community which Jesus your Son brought into being. We ask that we have the continuing spirit to be faithful members of the community. Amen.
10. An Empty Grave
FINAL GREETING: The proof of the Resurrection of Christ is not an empty tomb, but an Easter people whose lives have been transformed and who love and follow Jesus.
Let's celebrate that with a responsive “Hallelujah!”
CHRIST IS ALIVE IN THE WORLD
Hallelujah!
CHRIST IS ALIVE IN ME!
Hallelujah!
THROUGH MY TEARS I WILL SEE HIS FACE
Hallelujah!
IN MY CONFUSION I WILL SEEK HIS GUIDANCE
Hallelujah!
IN MY SIN I WILL REPENT AND RECEIVE HIS FORGIVENESS
Hallelujah!
IN MY DEATH I WILL CLAIM ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM
Hallelujah!
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