Make DIY Prayer Jars at Home

Part of helping children build a close relationship with God is teaching them how to pray. With this craft from Orlando private schools, you and your little ones can create a prayer jar to guide their time with God and learn how to pray in a natural, effective way.What You Need

• Wide-mouth mason jars

• Acrylic paint

• Paintbrushes

• Hot glue

• Mod Podge

• Pendants

• Extra-wide popsicle sticks

• Supplies for decorating: sequins, glitter, gems, washi tape, stickers, etc.

1. Paint the Jar

Let your child pick her favorite color for the base of her jar. Wipe down the jar and dry it fully, then paint the outside, letting each layer dry before adding another one. Once the outside is dry, cover it with a coat of Mod Podge to prevent chipping. If you’re concerned about paint chipping off, pour a small amount of paint inside the jar and seal the lid, then shake it until every part of the jar’s inside is coated! Open the jar and place it upside down on a thick paper plate to let the extra paint run out.

2. Make It Unique

Once your little one has finished painting her jar, it’s time for her to put her own creative stamp on it. For this step, let her use any craft supplies you have on hand. Adding ribbon, burlap, sequins, plastic gems, pieces of fabric, or stickers lets your child show off her interests and personality.

3. Add Pendants and Labels

Religious imagery and a colorful label helps your child start thinking of prayer as a necessary — and fun — part of their relationship with God! Paint small religious pendants and attach them to the jar with ribbon or burlap ties. Use letter stickers or a sticky label to write out “Prayer” on the side of the jar.

4. Write Out Prayer Ideas and Directions

Like everything else in life, and especially when it comes to prayer jars, it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Use plain popsicle sticks to write down different prayer requests and put them in the jar; then, during nightly prayer times, your child can pull out a few popsicle sticks to see what she’s praying for. You can also add helpful tips to help your child focus and learn to pray! On some popsicle sticks, consider writing a bit about how to thank God for her blessings, ask for support, pray for family members, reflect on answered prayers, and pray for her community. You can also reference specific verses.Helping your child feel comfortable praying is a key part of helping her grow spiritually. Use this prayer jar to make prayer part of your family’s daily routine.Our blog page has helpful hints for parents to encourage their children to excel academically, spiritually, and socially. To learn more about Orlando private schools, contact us at 407-246-4800.