God is with us however we are feeling

There are 5 different prayer ideas – do as much or as little as you like!

The pictures and the poems are all from this book:

You might like to start by watching a video of someone reading this book all about different feelings:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87meeeysYlA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87meeeysYlA

God is with us when we feel sad

There are lots of things which might be making us feel sad at the moment –things/people/places that we are missing.

God loves to hear from us, we can talk to God about how we are feeling. You might want to say out loud some of the things that have made you sad recently.

Can you find something heavy and pick it up? How many things can you carry? Feel how heavy they feel in your hands (or on your back in a bag). Sometimes our feelings can weigh heavy on us.

In the Bible, it tells us that Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30). God wants to help carry your big feelings.

Drop your heavy load and imagine that God is carrying it and looking after you.

God our Comforter,We are safe with you,You are always ready to look after usAnd you understand what we are going through.Thank you for loving us however we are feeling.Amen.

Sad sits in your tummyand pokes you in the heart;Somebody asks “What’s wrong?”but you don’t know where to start.

You’re achey, blue, alone;Your nose has sniffled red;You’ve had a cry, a cuddle,but the thoughts won’t leave your head.

Everyone is sad sometimes,it’s hard but it’s okay;Cause you can learn to feel the sadThen help it go away.

Remember you are precious;Important, loved as well.Find someone who’s kind and cares –That’s someone you can tell.

Talk about your feelings,and then when you are done;Talk about heart-warming thingsthat bring you joy and fun.

Think about a favourite happy place,A favourite toy, a pet;Make a list of comforts just for youAnd don’t forget.

God is with us when we’re angryThere are lots of things which happen which might make us feel angry. It’s ok to talk to God about them.

In the story of Jonah in the Bible it says“Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, “God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen!” (Jonah 4:1-2).

You might like to write or draw some things which make you angry. Or say them out loud.

You could scrunch up the paper and throw it as far as you can.

God our Refuge,We are safe with you,You are big enough to take whatever we throw at youAnd you get angry about things which happen in our world just like we do.Thank you for loving us however we are feeling.Amen.

Anger’s a volcano,it heats up til it blows.You can’t help feeling angrybut you can help where it goes.

Look out for your boiling point,the rumbling, the heat;You will find the warning signsthat only YOU can beat.

Maybe it’s just one deep breath,a count to ten, a walk;Maybe there’s a friend or grown upthere to have a talk.

Once you learn YOUR action planthen anger cannot rule!Sure, volcanoes are quite hotbut YOU are very cool.

You feel a lot at once,when things don’t go your way.The pressure sort of rises,you don’t know what to say.You’re getting hot and bothered,you’re shaky and you stomp!You want to shout! Throw things about!Your teeth just grind and chomp.You want to fall down to the floor,To claw and kick and bite;You want to do it all at onceYou don’t care it’s not right!

God is with us when we’re worriedLots of people are feeling worried about things at the moment. When we’re feeling scared, it can make us feel tight and closed up.

You could write or draw something on the flower template. Or say it out loud.Fold all its petals in and think about how being scared feels.Then float it on some water and watch it open up.

In the Bible, God tell us:“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;I have called you by your name; you are Mine!When you pass through the waters,I will be with you;and when you go through the rivers,they will not overwhelm you” (Isaiah 43).

Look at your flower – the words/pictures are are still there but it has opened up.We can do hard things because God will always be with us. God can help us to stay open to life.

God our friend,We are safe with you You are always with us, wherever we areAnd you can give us courage to keep going.Thank you for loving us however we are feeling.Amen.

Some worries are littleso you face them and they go;But other ones are bigger,they inflate on you and grow.

You can feel a little anxiouswhen those worries cloud around;They can make you hide inside, afraid, all stuck, all run aground.

But did you know that worriesare like bullies and its true,when you’re alone they’re scary,when shared they can’t scare you!

Worries may not go completelybut together we stand talland together we can face them,conquer anything at all.

God is with us all the time!You could draw a picture of yourself with all your different feelings around/inside you.

Then choose a colour that you think looks like Love.Colour all over or around yourself.Look at your picture and remember that God loves you just as you.

In the Bible it says “For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs” (Zephaniah 3:17).

Can you picture a God, who loves you SO much, that s/he is singing and dancing for joy about you?! What do you think God’s dance might look like?

God our Creator,We are safe with you.You made each of us andyou’re proud of what you see.Thank you for loving ushowever we’re feeling.Amen.

Everyone feels lovedwhen they’re liked for who they are;When they know someone believesin their dreams they will go far.

When you’re shown that someone caresyou feel warm and cozy-tight,you feel safe, special and happyyou know things will be alright.

It’s so easy to show lovebut it means so very much;It might just be smiles or waves,or a reaching out to touch.

Hugs and pats or blow a kiss,tiny gestures, handmade gifts;Even ask about a day,caring gives us little lifts.

Think of everyone you love,think of little things to do;When you feel a little lovedYou can share that brightness too.

Noticing when God is with usYou could use this version of the examento notice how God is speaking to you at the moment:https://www.pathwaystogod.org/resources/centre-news/examen-life-during-coronavirus

Or you could go outside and find a stick (or use something like a wooden spoon, rolling pin, ruler, long pieces of cardboard etc). Then think about the last year. There have been easy parts and difficult parts, happy moments and sad moments. Which times stick out for you the most? When was God with you?

You could make a ‘journey stick’ to remember this time. You can tie pieces of string, wool, ribbons etc to represent different times or colour the stick in with paint/felt tips etc.

Spirit of God,We are safe with you.You are all around us, in the peoplewe meet and the things we see.Thank you for loving ushowever we’re feeling.Amen.

https://www.pathwaystogod.org/resources/centre-news/examen-life-during-coronavirus

Happy is a warm glow,it’s a gleam inside your chest;Then a beam ignites a sparkle,you feel light and right, your best.

There’s contentment, cozy, cuddled;There is bliss, all bubbly-bright;There’s a grinning, giggling gleewhere you feel free, alight in flight.

Happy doesn’t always happen,life can sometimes darken days;But the brightness is within you,happy always has its ways.

You can choose to see the best and you can focus on the good;You can count your blessings, always,feeling grateful, as you should.

You can shine and share the happy,spread it everywhere you go.If you BE the love, beloved,that IS happiness, you know.