Prayer Stations

 

Once a quarter we have Prayer Stations. Prayer Stations are prayer exercises. We do this to help create space for more of Jesus in your life. The simple practice of prayer is the easiest way to connect to God and to the things of God. We have prepared 5 different creative prayer stations around the campus around the theme of mercy and justice. We have provided a guide for each station. Most prayer activities can be done alone, with a partner or within a group or family.

Visiting?

If you are a visitor, welcome to Risen! We are so glad that you can join us this unique Sunday. If you are interested in getting connected or simply want to know more about Risen, please fill out our digital connect card and we will follow up. We also invite you to join in and engage with as much as you are comfortable with today in the prayer activities.

 
 

Prayer Guide

Station 1

Location: Lunch Tables

Description:

  • For Kids - The Alabaster Jar Project in San Diego is a special place that helps women who have had a really hard time and need a fresh start. Some of these women were in dangerous situations, but now they are safe and have people who care about them. They give them a cozy home to stay in, help them learn new skills, and support them as they build a happy and healthy life. It’s like a big family that helps each other, making sure everyone feels loved and important.

  • For Adults - The Alabaster Jar Project empowers survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation by providing long-term housing and a comprehensive variety of support services with an emphasis on peer leadership.

Verse: Psalm 146:7-8 

He upholds the cause of the oppressed

and gives food to the hungry.

The Lord sets prisoners free,

the Lord gives sight to the blind,

the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,

the Lord loves the righteous.

Instructions: At this station, we will be making special bags for women that Alabaster Jar Project is helping. You can make up to three bags. Put one of each item in the bag and then spend some time praying for the woman who will receive the bag.

Materials: (available at the station)

Station 2

Location: Lunch Tables

Description: Christiana Lawrence will demonstrate this prayer activity live.

Demonstration times:  10:20am 10:30am 10:40am

Verses: Psalm 46:1, Leviticus 19:33-34), Matthew 25:35, Hebrews 13: 1-2

Prayer Reference:

Thumb: Prayer for Refugees who are waiting to come to the US

Pointer: Prayer for people in immigration proceedings who are seeking asylum 

Middle: A Prayer for people to be deported back to dangerous countries

Ring: Prayer for children being separated from their parents

Pinky: Prayer for new immigrants to experience God’s love

Materials: (available at the station)

  • Paper handprint

  • Colored Pencils

Station 3

Location: Library Courtyard. Feel free to also find a quiet spot around the campus.

Description: You will write your own prayer of lament. There are two prompts to choose from. At the station there will be a printout with further instructions of the prayer prompts.

Verses:

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.” -- Psalm 13:1-6

Materials: (available at the station)

  • Pen, NotesApp

Station 4

Location: MPR

Description: This is a space for contemplative lament—a sacred act of expressing sorrow, grief, and longing to God. Lament is not about having the right words. It is a form of worship that holds both pain and hope together.

In lament, we name what is not right in our lives or in the world. We cry out for justice. We mourn what has been lost. We ask God to come close—and He does. Scripture reminds us that God hears the cries of the oppressed, draws near to the brokenhearted, and holds space for our tears. You are invited to bring your pain, your questions, your weariness, your longing for justice and mercy. God is not distant—He welcomes your lament and meets you in it.

Verses:

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” — Matthew 5:4, 6

Instructions:

  • Sit. Listen. Reflect.

  • As you listen to these songs of lament and as you read the lyrics, let them give voice to things that may be hard to express. Don’t rush. Sit in the silence. Let the words and the music stir your heart.

Station 5

Location: Library Courtyard

Description: All throughout Scripture God's makes clear His love for the orphan, the immigrant and the widow, the neighbors of His people. These people groups were the most vulnerable in this society, and they were (and are) the very ones God's people were to protect and care for. We see this all throughout the Old Testament and embodied through the person of Jesus in the New. Take time to thoughtfully read through the story of the Good Samaritan as a group or individual and prayerfully consider which neighbors God is inviting you to see and care for.

Materials: Notecard and Pen, NotesApp

Read: Luke 10:29-37 (The Message Translation)

29 … “And just how would you define ‘neighbor’?”

30-32 Jesus answered by telling a story. “There was once a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho. On the way he was attacked by robbers. They took his clothes, beat him up, and went off leaving him half-dead. Luckily, a priest was on his way down the same road, but when he saw him he angled across to the other side. Then a Levite religious man showed up; he also avoided the injured man.

33-35 “A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back.’

36 “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbor to the man attacked by robbers?”

37 “The one who treated him kindly,” the religion scholar responded.

Jesus said, “Go and do the same.”

Things to Consider:

In this story, Jesus describes the neighbor as the one who noticed the person everyone else ignored, and sacrificed his time, his resources, and even his social status (Samaritans and Jews did not get along). Ultimately, we see that the neighbor is the person who sacrificed himself greatly for those on the margins. The perfect neighbor is Jesus, and he shows us how to be a neighbor to others.


Activity (solo or group):

  1. Ask God to bring to mind someone he wants you to be a neighbor to.

  2. What would it look like to love them sacrificially?

  3. When you think about this person or group of people how do you feel? Resistant? Excited? Willing? Talk with God and others about it.

  4. Write down the name(s) that came to mind and commit to pray for them throughout the week, asking God to show you ways you can be their neighbor.