Lenten Prayer Pots

I am re-posting today about prayer pots for Lent, a project that we did last year, since I have had several questions about them this week.

Our prayer pots are kept on the table
where we eat as a constant reminder
of the things we are praying for during Lent.

The prayer pots are to be used during each Sunday of Lent. Children place specific objects in them to remind them of an aspect of God's character and their relationship with them. It is a great way for the whole family to pray together during Lent. 


The idea for these came from Diane Laney Fitzpatrick and you can find her original instructions here. I loved her ideas, but modified them a bit to fit my cultural and pedagogical context better. 


We made our pots out of air-drying clay purchased from a craft store. Then, we used wooden beads and sticks that we found outside to decorate them.

The sticks, beads and clay used to make the pots.

Inside the pots we place the following items and pray the following prayers. I also included some Bible verses that the family can discuss together before praying.

• Ash Wednesday - The pot is displayed, but remains empty to signal that Lent is here and remind us to allow God to fill us anew.
• First Sunday of Lent - A red heart to remind of God's love for us and that nothing can separate us from his love. Romans 8: 38,39
• Second Sunday of Lent - A small bean to remind us that we are growing in our relationship with God and that we should tend to it the way we would a growing plant. Colossians 1: 10-12
• Third Sunday of Lent - An almond, an ancient symbol of patience, to remind us that God is patient with us and that we should be patient with others. Ephesians 4: 2
• Fourth Sunday of Lent - A piece of bread to remind us to share with others. Hebrews 13: 16
• Fifth Sunday of Lent - A band-aid to remind us to help those who are hurt or sad. I Thessalonians 5: 13b
• Palm Sunday - A piece of purple felt to remind us that Jesus is our King. Colossians 1: 15-20
• Easter Sunday - A small stone to remind us of the empty tomb and that Jesus is with us. Matt. 28: 1-8; 18-20

The materials described above to be placed in the prayer pots.

Here are some photos of the children's pots from last year:

This post was written as a part of the Celebrating Lent Link-Up!

and The Magic Onions

and Kids Get Crafty at Red Ted's Art Blog

and Sharing Saturday at Crafty Moms Share and Mama Mia's Heart2Heart