Sunday, August 30 — 3:30pm ET — Prospect Park Nethermead
Join us for a time of prayer in Prospect Park to intercede for the back to school process this year, including parents, children, students, teachers, support staff, and administration. We will seek God together to guide our city and nation through this endeavor.
Parents: children are invited to participate. We will have a creative experience for them to enjoy on your family blanket while the adult prayers continue. Those who are unable to join in person are invited to pray with us via Zoom (password: prayer).
A prayer guide for this event is included at the bottom of this page.
Guidelines
We will be taking every precaution to maintain social distancing as we gather, following the critical direction of our health officials to continue slowing the transmission of the virus.
We are asking everyone to:
Keep physical distance (stay six feet apart from anyone not in your own household)
Wear a face covering throughout the gathering
Stay home if sick
Bring the essentials (bring your own hand sanitizer, water bottle, etc.)
Directions
Enter on Prospect Park West (9th Street or 15th Street) or Ocean Avenue (Flatbush Ave or Lincoln Rd), then proceed to the Nethermead (between Dog Beach and the Boathouse and north of the Lake). Look for a brightly colored tarp on the ground. Our exact location may change depending on conditions in the park to maintain social distancing as a group.
Questions?
No question is too small or too big. Contact us »
Prayer Guide
First Movement (15 min) - Kids pray
Story - “When I Pray For You” by Matthew Paul Turner (you can also watch the author read his book online)
Imaginative Prayer
Take three big deep breaths
Let the first one fill your belly
Let the second one expand your heart and chest
Let the third fill your whole body from your toes to your head
You can close your eye or keep them open whatever makes you feel more comfortable.
Feel your feet in your shoes on the grass or on your blanket
Can you feel the breeze on your face and arms
Shake out any thoughts from the day and quiet your mind and body
Imagine…
Imagine you are in one of your favorite places. It can be real or imaginary, a place you go a lot or one you just hope to go soon.
Imagine doing something you really love in this favorite place of yours. Go ahead and really use that imagination, really have fun.
Now Imagine Jesus is there with. Imagine that He is joining you doing that fun thing.
Just spend a little time enjoying time with Jesus.
If there is anything you want to tell Jesus go ahead and tell him. You can just think it in your mind or even whisper it out loud. Whatever you want!
Now Ask Jesus if there is anything he wants to say to you?
Share…
What was the first thing that you thought of in your mind after you asked Jesus what he wanted to say to you?
Take a minute to share it with your family or neighbor. Don’t worry if you didn’t think or hear anything!! You just spent time having fun with Jesus! And remember He was really with you, because He is always with us and we can use our imaginations to help us remember that.
Kids will lead small groups in prayer (if time allows)
Choose one or two to pray for:
Your school
Your teachers
Your friends
Second Movement (15 min) - Prayer for kids, students, and families
Choose one or two to pray for with your small group:
Health and safety
Mental health as they navigate new social realities
Parent child relationships / particularly for those who are doing remote only
For grace to actually learn what they need to learn
Anoint with oil and pray together over the kids and students:
Lord, we bless these children in the name and authority of Jesus Christ. In every moment of this coming school year, may they know your protection — mind, body, and soul. May you calm their every anxiety and worry about the days ahead. And may they be lights in the darkness and witnesses to the great hope we have in you. Amen.
Third Movement (15 min) - Prayer for educators, administration, and decision makers
Choose one or two to pray for with your small group:
Discernment for officials and administrators as they make policies
Health and safety for teachers and staff
Creativity and wisdom in adapting to the new education model and technology
Invite any teachers, administrators, educational support staff, step into the center of the group. We extend our hands and cover you in prayer.
Join in song “My God is so Big” (lyrics below).
Song: My God Is So Big
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do
The mountains are his
The rivers are his
The skies are his handy works too
My God is so big, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do
My God is so great, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do
He made the trees
He made the seas
He made the elephants too
My God is so great, so strong and so mighty
There's nothing my God cannot do
