Prayer-Planes
Praying is important
by the Revd Oliver Harrison
Suitable for Whole School (Pri)
Aims
To consider that God always hears our prayers.
Preparation and materials
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You will need three paper aeroplanes. These can be made in advance or during the assembly. You may wish to have paper ready so that some of the children can make aeroplanes.
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You will also need something for the aeroplanes to be flown into, such as a hula hoop, bucket or box.
Assembly
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Ask the children if they can think of someone whom they particularly like talking to. Ask them why they like talking with that person – maybe they make them laugh, or maybe they listen and don’t interrupt.
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Explain that we can talk to God at any time and in any place. This act of talking to God is called ‘praying’. God loves to hear us pray. Often, when we pray, we put our hands together and close our eyes. However, this doesn’t need to happen for God to hear us. God is always there to listen to us.
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Invite three volunteers to the front and give them a paper aeroplane. (Alternatively, invite three children to the front to make aeroplanes. Check before the assembly that the children can do this quickly, though!)
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Position the children so that they are aiming the planes away from the seated children. Explain that, one at a time, you want them to aim to fly the planes into the target (the hoop, bucket or box).
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After the children have tried to fly the planes into the target, make the challenge more or less difficult by moving the target.
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On the final attempt, make sure that each child manages to hit the target by moving the target to catch the planes.
Time for reflection
Explain that sometimes, when we pray, it can feel like God isn’t listening. It feels as if we miss the target. However, Christians believe that God always hears our prayers. It is as if he bends down and draws close so that our words go straight into his ears!
Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you that we can talk to you at any time and in any place.
Thank you that you always listen.
Thank you that you love us to speak to you.
Please help us to take the time to listen to other people.
Amen.
