"Let's Draw Our Prayers..."

Drawing Close to Jesus

In the story today, Ms Sytsma told the story of Jesus holding a little child in his arms. "When we draw our prayers", she said, "I wonder how you will show Jesus' arms around the boy." 

Jesus drew close to the children, and in Lent, we find a new way to draw close to him. 

We have already talked about how Lent is a time when we welcome more quiet into our worship. But quiet is not about doing less. It is about worshiping in a different way. We often associate prayer with words or with silence, with still hands and bodies, but during our silence in Lent our hands are busy as we draw.

But how is drawing a form of praying? 

Aren't these simply observational drawings? 

And even if they are just that, isn't that enough? 

Observational drawing is wonderful for young minds, as is the opportunity to exercise fine motor skills, color choice, sharing materials ... The list could go on, but none of this is why we draw in worship. 

We have become used to the idea that there are many ways to hold our hands while we pray ... like a flame, like a rock, fingers folded together, palms out, even with arms outstretched. Just as their are different "praying hands," so too are there different ways to pray: in our minds, with our words, with song, even with musical instruments and dance. Drawing is no different. When a child draws a worship story, she is meditating on the word of God and to meditate on the word of God is a form of prayer, of drawing close to God. 

Even within the drawing, there are different ways that the children are praying, as we can see by looking at their drawings. Some think broadly, drawing the whole scene, while others draw just one or two figures. A child might choose vibrant color one day, while choosing only black the next. Children might also add themselves to the story in their picture. What a wonderful way to follow Jesus, to draw close to Jesus. 

After worship we have a time of reflection in our morning meetings. This is a time for children to view each other's work and, if they'd like, to talk about the prayer they have drawn. It is insightful and beautiful to hear the language the children use when discussing their prayers. We hear and see what is most important to them...

"Here is the mountain and the cloud with Moses and Elijah and Jesus in it. This is Peter — I drew  his face like this to show that he is worried." 
— Cabot

"The black [in my picture] was the evil spirit inside the boy and that Jesus was reaching out and touch him." 
— Jason

This time of discussion informs our thinking and awareness of the journey that Jesus is on. Even at the end of the day, in our closing meetings, the children are full of wondering questions.

"Jesus is going to die. I wonder if he is still dead." 
— Cecily

"We don't see Jesus. He is invisible because he died." 
— Cabot

"He is alive, but we can't see him. I wonder why we can't see him if he is alive again?" 
— Alex

"God is invisible, like dust." 
— Jason

"We will be like dust. We were dust." 
— Izzy 

"I washed that dust off my head from church." 
— Camila

Several children make the mark of the cross on their forehead with ashes ....

Jesus, 
Teach me how
To follow you.