Prayer Pots Teach Lessons from Ash Wednesday throughout Lent
Note: You can create your own clay pots with each Child using a fist sized ball of clay or use terracotta pots with disc bottoms
Teach the children how to form a pinch pot and then widen it to become a bowl. Let these dry. The outside can be decorated with paint or markers or may be left plain. Give each child their own pot along with the following directions.
Place the pot in a special place where it can’t be missed – perhaps the center of the family table. It reminds us that Lent is here but remains empty for the next few days.
A small heart cut from construction paper is placed in the Prayer Pot during the main meal to remind everyone of God’s love for us and that we should show our love for, and be kind to, others.
A small seed (any kind – sunflower, pumpkin) is placed in the pot to remind us that God’s love for us constantly grows and that we should try hard to do more for other people.
Place a small rubber band in the Prayer Pot as a reminder that God always stretches His patience with us and we need to do the same for others even when it isn’t easy.
A marble or small game piece is placed in the pot to remind us that we need to remember to take turns, to share.
Add a little band-aid to remind us to help other people when they are sad or hurt.
Place a tiny piece of palm to remind us that Jesus is our King and we always need to remember to say our prayers to him.
The last item is a tiny piece of egg shell to remind us that Jesus will always be with us and is always ready to hear our prayers.