For a free pdf download of this resource click here
This is the first of a new series of columns. Our previous articles covered aspects of worship with young people, followed by a selection of ideas to try out. From now on we’ll be walking you through reflective, contemplative, devotional activities which can be adapted and used with your youth group. They are based on scripture, creativity and some ancient spiritual practices such as lectio divina, centring prayer, Christian meditation and more.
The great thing about these practices is they are very simple, often involving very little or no technology, musicians or complicated setup. They encourage us to slow down, to listen to God and one another, and to be formed and transformed by his Spirit. They are accessible to young people with church backgrounds but also to those just exploring faith. They help establish healthy rhythms and sustainable patterns, which we and our young people can take into everyday lives, rather than relying on a weekly (or more infrequent) ‘hit’ of worship at a service or event. Many of the principles for these have been gleaned from Mark Yaconelli’s book Contemplative Youth Ministry, and we’d definitely recommend checking this out if you haven’t already.
Nature
The purpose of this time of contemplative prayer is to notice God revealing himself and speaking to us through nature - ‘The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands’ (Psalm 19:1) - as well as through scripture. Remember that you know your group best, so pay attention to their needs and emotions and prioritise the young people’s welfare above ‘getting through the exercise’.
Begin by gathering the group in an outdoor space, the larger and more varied the better, but a back garden should work. Ensure that your group feels welcomed and ‘seen’ before you draw them into a prayer activity. For younger groups, an outdoor game or something active might be helpful to begin with; otherwise a chat and a catch-up will suffice. Explain that as a group you are going to experiment with allowing God to speak through nature; use language that doesn’t sound too super-spiritual, removing the pressure to manipulate a God-experience.
Begin with something that helps people stop and focus on God. It could be as simple as standing in a circle and praying something like: ‘Dear Lord Jesus, we remember that you are present among us right now. Open our minds to be sensitive to your voice. Amen.’ Alternatively, you may want to have a set pre-written prayer that you all pray together – either one that you have written together as a group, or something traditional like: ‘Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.’ Or, if your group is one that enjoys singing, you can acknowledge your purpose by singing a simple song like ‘Jesus, We Are Here’ by Patrick Matsikenyiri, the chorus of the Christmas carol ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’, or something more familiar to your group.
Next, ask your group to find a comfortable spot to sit or lie, where they will still be able to hear you. You may want to provide some picnic blankets or cushions for this. You can explain that you are going to pray using lectio divina, the ancient ‘holy reading’ prayer that encourages us to experience God through scripture, or, if you think this language will cause a barrier, then just say that you are going to read the Bible and take time to listen for God speaking through it.
Begin with preparation. Ask the young people to find a visual focus – a flower, the sky, a tree etc. Then explain that you will have a moment to prepare yourselves to engage with God, and pray a simple prayer to this effect, asking God to make you aware of his presence and his love. Leave a minute’s silence.
Next, read the whole of Psalm 19 out loud. Read it slowly, but engagingly. At the end, leave some silence. Explain that you will read the text again, but this time inviting the young people to listen out for a word or a phrase that stands out to them. Read the text twice more, making sure that you leave moments silence.
Invite the young people to meditate on the words or phrases that they have particularly noticed in the text. Ask the group to prayerfully repeat their words in their hearts and notice the emotions and images that the words evoke. Next, it’s time to allow the meditation to turn into prayer (which in lectio divina language is called oration). Invite the young people to silently offer up the prayers to the Lord that the text has stirred in them; it may be prayers of thanksgiving, confession, intercession or petition. Finally, allow a time of contemplation. Explain to the young people that this time is to simply rest in God’s presence, with no agenda or other purpose. Be sensitive to your group and leave as long as they need for this stage.
While you are in this contemplative place, invite the young people to move around if they would like to, to find another part of nature to notice or to have a little walk around – remind them to keep an open heart to what God may show them. Ask the group to respect each other by not chatting as they start moving, and keep being aware of God’s presence in that moment. Explain how you will call them back (for example, playing some music, ringing a bell etc.). After the length of time that you find appropriate, call the group back.
Divide the young people into groups of around four, preferably with someone who can take a lead in each group. Allow each person to share for a minute, without interruptions, what they have experienced during the session, and after each person make sure to leave a silence to ensure that each person is heard. When each person has shared, respond in prayer in an appropriate way, taking into account what has been shared. It may simply be a prayer of blessing prayed over the whole group, or each small group may want to offer prayers of thanksgiving or intercession for each other.
Sam and Sara Hargreaves
run engageworship.org, which offers resources and training for creative, innovative and world changing worship. Sam is programme leader for the Theology and Worship degree at London School of Theology, and they are both volunteer worship coordinators for their church in Luton.
