September 2006 Activity One: Give a Hand

Use this simple activity to encourage members of your class to pray for one another. Have each student trace his/her hand on a selected color of construction paper. Encourage older students to do this as well. Having many forms of media available, have them decorate their hand to reflect:

Finger 1: What they want to do in life

Finger 2: The initials of someone they are concerned about and pray for

Finger 3: Their favorite Scripture passage (have Bibles ready)

Finger 4: Their favorite way to pray (during Mass, Rosary, in nature, night time, etc.)

Thumb: The most intriguing character in the Bible (can be “good” or “bad”; later, use this as a creative writing project and have them explain why they chose this character!).

Now direct your students to attach these hands to the wall or place them on a table at each meeting. At the beginning of each day/class, each student selects a different hand to keep with them for that day/class/week with the intention of praying for that person and his/her intentions.