Yarn-Web Prayer

To show our solidarity and need to be concerned for one another

The children will be able to explain how moral choices affect our relationships with God and other people.

• Large ball of yarn

• Find a place where the children can sit in one large circle on the floor.
• Once they are seated, ask them to recall someone or something in our world that concerns them and to think of a short prayer that they could share with the group about their concern.
• Remind the children that all people are brothers and sisters, and that, like Ruth, we have a responsibility to care for one another. Tell the children that today in our prayer we will express visibly our belief that we are all dependent on one another and connected to everyone in the world.
• Pick up the ball of yarn and begin by sharing your own prayer with the group.
• Wait a few seconds and then, holding on to the end of the yarn, unroll several feet of it and pass the ball to a child in the circle. As you do so, ask him or her to share his or her prayer.
• When the child has shared his or her prayer, have him or her wrap the yarn once around either wrist and then pass the ball to another child.
• Repeat the process and continue passing the ball of yarn until all the children have had a chance to share their prayers and the ball of yarn returns to you.
• Conclude the prayer by praying together slowly the Lord's Prayer.

Body Smart, People Smart

Be prepared for the possibility of some smiles and snickers while the ball of yarn is being passed across the circle. If a sense of prayer is being lost, gently remind the children that prayer can be joyous and reverential at the same time.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.