In this post: An idea for how to get your bilingual family to pray in Spanish more and a FREEBIE to help make it easier for you to complete the Prayer Jar.
Are you wanting your family to come together and pray for others more? Are you looking for guidance on how to pray in Spanish?
In this post, I share with you the Prayer Jar I use with my family as a way to pray in Spanish. You’ll find the details of how it works so you can start with your family today too!
What is a Spanish Prayer Jar?
A prayer jar contains Spanish prayer prompts that help guide your family on a topic to pray for. Write out these prayer prompts on craft sticks or, if you’re looking for a faster method, cut up my free printable, and add them to a jar.
When do I use a Spanish Prayer Jar?
My hope is that this prayer jar is something you can practice as a bilingual family although it can be used for just an individual as well. To use with your family, think of a time when you’re all together. How about a meal time? Breakfast before everyone takes off for their day? Or dinner when everyone has come home? Or at bed time? Maybe your family’s schedule doesn’t allow that much time together except for a weekend breakfast- try then! My biggest suggestion: look for where you can fit this into your routine in order to make it to happen and not just have it be another nice idea.
My jar now lives on the windowsill next to our dinning table. Although my family has a routine of praying before meals, this jar is right there encouraging us to break up our routine and add in something new to pray for as we sit down at dinner time.
How to Make a Prayer Jar in Spanish
Need:
- mason jar or small basket or container
- 42+ craft sticks (wide are preferred for writing space), colorful or plain
- Permanent ultra fine tip pens
- Decorations (optional): ribbon, twine, stickers, wasabi tape, extra paper, scissors, markers, glue
- Copy my prayer prompts from the images below or from my FREE printable pdf onto individual craft sticks.
- Place all the craft sticks into the jar.
- You can involve the kids and have them decorate the sticks with a sticker or wrap the tip with wasabi tape.
- Decorate the mouth of the jar with ribbon or twine.
- Use the lid to trace a circle on paper. Cut it out. Label as Oraciones (Prayers).
- When your family is gathered together, one person draws a stick and includes that prayer prompt in the prayer.
- Take turns who gets to pull from the jar and pray each time.
- Place the sticks back in the jar when finished.
***Or if don’t have the time and energy to decorate sticks and a jar, just print off my free PDF and cut them into strips. ***
Why Pray?
Why even pray? Maybe this is where you’re at in your walk with Christ right now. If so, I want to encourage you with the following:
“Prayer’s primary purpose in our lives is that we might enjoy intimacy with our creator and participate with His purposes here on Earth. Prayer is the means by which you will be freed from your earth bound, time bound thinking to participate in eternity. True prayer releases His power so that His power can accomplish immeasurably more than we can ask or even imagine. God invites us to a life marked by power and filled with conviction, one that abounds in love and pours out insight. As we walk with Him, talk with Him, read His word, and trust His heart, we are changed from the inside out.
Susie Larson from Your Powerful Prayers
I want to be so connected to God through prayer that I receive His insight when I’m stumbling through decisions. I long to participate in God’s purposes here on Earth. This is possible through a life filled with prayer.
Pray for Others in Spanish
My family prays regularly together as we sit down for meals. My husband does a great job modeling how to give thanks to God for all the big and little things of our day. Sometimes our prayers consist of just that- a whole lot of thanksgiving. However, lately I’ve been challenged and reflecting on the fact that I don’t feel we’re praying for others enough.
I believe that as were built for community that I need to be praying for others. It tunes me in more to their needs, to truer relationship with others, and holds me accountable to seeing how I can continue to support that person in other ways as I pray for him/her. This is participating in God’s purposes here on Earth.
My hope is that this Prayer Jar will guide your family to pray in Spanish for other people and other concerns of the heart as well.
