Prayer Stations for Harvest


The Parable of the Sower


The parable of the sower is often used as a focus for harvest.

At our all age service the prayer stations were based on the four aspects of the parable: the birds on the path, the rocky ground, the thorns and the good earth.

Before visiting the prayer stations we had a presentation on the theme:

Story:


The story of the parable of the sower was told using the Godly Play materials and the wondering questions.


Bible reading:


Matthew Chapter 13, including Jesus's explanation of the meaning of the parable.

Everyone was given a foil plate and asked to add something to it at each station.

Station 1: The path - just passing by



Words:

The seed that fell on the path was trampled on and the birds ate it up....

Jesus said, "The seed is the word of God. The seeds that fell along the path stand for those who hear; but the devil comes and takes the message away from their hearts in order to keep them from believing and being saved."

What things make us just pass by so that we do not listen to God?

Prayer Activity:


Add some sand to your tray to remind yourself of times when you have just passed by and not listened to God.

Play Activity:


You may like to make a clay bird to place on the path.

Station 2: The stones - testing times



Words:

Some seed fell on rocky ground and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture... Jesus said, "Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away."

What have been the testing times when it was difficult for you to hear God and follow him?

Prayer Activity:


Add some stones to your tray to remind yourself of the testing times when it was hard to follow God.

Station 3: The thorns - distractions



Words:


Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Jesus said, "The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature."

What are the worries, riches or pleasures that stop you from hearing God and following him?

Prayer Activity:


Add some of the thorns to your tray to remind yourself of times when you have been distracted and found it hard to listen to God and follow him.


Station 4: The good earth – hearing and following



Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown...

Jesus said, " But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

What are the things that have helped you to listen to God and to follow him?

Prayer Activity:


Take some of the good earth and put it in the centre of your tray to remind yourself of the times when you have heard God and followed him...


Station 5: The path, the stones, the thorns, the good earth...



The sower flings the seed everywhere...

Scatter the seeds all over your tray to remember God's love... God's love is extravagant, abundant and unconditional...

God keeps loving and giving his word to everyone – the passers by, the distracted, those who turn away and those who follow him... It is up to us how we respond...


Play Activity:


You may like to respond by putting something on the display to represent the distractions, difficulties or things that help us when we hear God's word.

You could use the symbols and materials, make something out of clay or write or draw something.

Sarah