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 6 different creative prayer stations around the campus around the theme of Gratitude. We have provided a guide for each station. Most prayer activities can be done alone, with a partner or within a group.

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: Thank You Cards

Location: Lunch Tables

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-6

I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

From a prison cell, Paul wrote this letter to the Philippian church and was filled with joy by the ways they loved him because of their devotion to the gospel of Christ. Like Paul, we too are formed by our community. The ways we love one another and remind one another about the truths of the gospel, often in the darkest moments, help to shape who we are today.

Instructions:

  • Grab a pen and a note card.

  • Following in Paul's footsteps, ask God to bring to mind someone in your life who you are thankful for because of the way they have encouraged you in your faith journey.

  • Using Paul's formula, write a note of thanksgiving for how they have impacted your life and encourage them to continue in this good work.

Station 2: Family Tree

Location: Courtyard (front of Library)

Description: Church as a Family

The ​most common word​ used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus is the Greek term ​adelphoi–w​hich translated into English would be "brothers and sisters.”​  That word is used ​342 times​ in the New Testament–it beats out every other term used to describe Christians by a ​long shot.​ So apparently, ​when we talk about what it means to belong to Jesus, one of the primary things that means is belonging to the family of God​.

This family idea is also built into one of the primary metaphors in the bible for what happens when we ​become​ followers of Jesus: the metaphor of ​adoption. Take a look at just a few examples of this from the bible:

Ephesians 1:4-5

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship​ through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.

Galatians 4:4-5:

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.

Romans 8:14-15

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.​ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

Instructions:

  • Have someone take a polaroid picture of you.

  • Write your name on the polaroid and pin the picture to the Family Tree board.

  • Meditate over the following questions to yourself, or discuss as a group:

  • What brings you joy/ makes you smile about the Risen family?

  • How has God blessed you through this church family?

  • How can you serve the Risen family?

Station 3: Sowing in Peace

Location: Lunch Tables. Feel free to also find a quiet place to sit around the campus. Supplies are at the lunch tables.

Instructions: Grab a pen and a piece of paper an find a quiet place to sit.

James 3:18

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Each of us has experienced places where we have not sown in peace, where we have not been peacemakers. Each of us has experienced places where others have not sown peace with us, where they hurt us or harmed us. We have reaped the harvest of discord by experiencing bitterness, anger, shame, and unforgiveness. To “sow in peace” means releasing past grievances and choosing to be gentle, peace-loving, and peace-making, which allows love to emerge and unity to develop.

In some of those instances, we are still holding on to past hurts. Use this space to begin sowing in peace.

  • Write down the area(s) in your life or draw a picture of where you need to sow in peace and forgiveness.

  • Once you have prayed and given that thing/person to God, tear up that piece of paper as a physical reminder that you will no longer hold on to it.

  • In the future, when you go back to that hurt, remember today and the commitment you have made to sow in peace. Remember, Jesus, the ultimate peacemaker, made peace between us and God by his work on the cross. Jesus is inviting us to a harvest of righteousness. A life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Station 4: Fruit of the Spirit

Location: Find a quiet place around the campus to sit. Supplies are at the lunch tables.

Galatians 5:22–23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Take a moment to breathe deeply.

Let your shoulders rest.

Let your heart quiet.

Offer this moment to the Lord.

As you read each fruit slowly, notice the one that touches your spirit today: Love… Joy… Peace… Patience… Kindness… Goodness… Faithfulness… Gentleness… Self-control.

Reflect:

  1. Which of these “fruits” has God been growing in you this season?

  2. Which one do you want to see more of in your life?

  3. Has someone shown one of these fruits to you recently? Thank God for them.

  4. Where have you seen the fruit of the Spirit in our church family?

Activity:

  1. Think about the fruit you're praying God would grow in you.

  2. Take a popsicle stick and write the name of those fruits on it (one fruit per popsicle stick).

  3. Place the stick in the planter box and pray over the growth of those fruits and the fruits of others also sown there.

Prayer:

God, You are the giver of every good harvest. Grow in us what we cannot grow on our own. Form our hearts in the likeness of Christ, that our lives may bear the fruit that lasts. Nourish the places that feel barren, prune the places that hinder, and fill us again with Your holy love. Amen.

Station 5: Meditation Room

Location: MPR

Description: In every harvest season - whether busy, full, or overwhelming - God invites His people not only to work, but to rest. The Lord of the harvest is also the Giver of rest, the Provider who sustains us.

Instructions:

  1. Find Your Seat: Choose a comfortable spot to sit—either in a chair or on the floor. Make yourself at ease.

  2. Allow your body to rest: Let each note slow your breathing. Let your body release its tension. This is a place to rest, to remember, and to receive God’s provision.

  3. Read the Scripture: Take a moment to read the provided scripture. Let the words wash over you and prepare your heart for prayer.

Scripture:

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

“The Lord is my shepherd; I lack nothing.” —Psalm 23:1

Reflect:

  1. Where have you felt tired, stretched, or overworked this season?

  2. Where have you seen God provide—physically, emotionally, or spiritually?

  3. What burdens have you been carrying alone?

  4. What would it look like to receive the rest Jesus offers you today?

Rest/Pray:

Lord of the Harvest,

Giver of every good gift,

Teach me to rest in Your strength and not my own.

In the middle of all I carry—work, family, friends, school, financial responsibilities, schedules, and more.

Remind me that You are my Provider.

Calm my anxious heart.

Restore what is worn.

Renew what is tired.

And let Your rest be the harvest I receive today.

Amen.

Station 6: Lectio Divina aka Divine Reading

Location: Find a quiet place around the campus to sit or you can do this activity on a walk.

Instructions:

  1. Read the passage: Begin by reading Philippians 4:6-7 ("Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God").

  2. Reflect and listen: Read the passage again, listening for a word, phrase, or image that stands out to you. This is the "word" that God may be highlighting for you today.

  3. Meditate: Pause and let that word or phrase sink in.

  4. Respond with prayer: Turn the word into a prayer. For example, if "thanksgiving" stands out, you might pray a prayer of thanks. This can also be a time to express gratitude for the blessings in your life, both large and small.

  5. Contemplate: Sit quietly with God, reflecting on the experience. What has the reading stirred within you? Consider how this sense of gratitude might change how you approach your day or your problems.