1. Reflective DVDs and music
Using reflective instrumental music, lead prayers of adoration from one of the many anthologies and books of prayers which are appropriate for your group and season of the year.
2. Party popping prayers
It’s not only youth who can have a good time! It’s good to be able to give thanks and celebrate God and one another, so why not play some appropriate uptempo party music and get excited about God?
Give each person a party popper (after safety reminders, etc) and go round the group giving thanks to God or praising him. Then, either each individual fires their party popper at the end of their own prayer, or go round the whole group praying, then let off all the party poppers together at the end with one great big ‘Amen!’
3. Pass the parcel with the Psalms
You will need: a prize, newspaper, sticky tape, pre-printed stickers, CD player.
Create a multi-layered ‘parcel’ with a prize in the centre that people will enjoy together (eg, a large pack of Maltesers or some nice pens). Instead of forfeits or a joke for each layer, include some verses of praise and adoration from the psalms. So, when the music stops, the person removes the next wrapper and finds a verse from a psalm, which you have put into the plural – eg:
We praise you because we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, we know that full well.
Psalm 139.14We will sing of the Lord’s great love for ever; with our mouths we will make your faithfulness known through all generations.
Psalm 89.1
Music
Don’t forget to have some good uptempo music – preferably from the charts – that’s suitable, uplifting and appropriate. If nothing is suitable, a good example would be ‘Celebration’ by Kool & the Gang. Make sure the parcel is big enough to get round the whole room so as many people as possible get ‘a turn’.