Intercessory Prayer (tactile stone imagery)

Intercession with Stones:
(Upon entering the service, people see a wooden bowl of smooth stones and a message to pick up a stone. If any people miss this or enter by another way, make sure you take the bowl to them and ask them to pick a stone. No further explanation is needed until the prayer of intercession. At the time of the prayer, read the following...)

When you came in today, you picked up a stone.
Maybe you’ve held it throughout the service,
maybe you set it to the side.
I want you to pick up that stone and hold it in your hand.
While you hold it, clear your mind,
open your heart to God’s leading,
sense who or what God has laid on your heart. (pause here)
As that stone is in your hand,
feel the weight of it…
feel also the weight that has been laid upon your heart.
You hold your concern for this person or situation as a gift...
a gift that God has given you.
God has given you the opportunity to pray for someone,
the opportunity to grow closer to God,
to touch the life of another,
and to be part of Christ’s redemption of the world.
Take part in that opportunity right now.
Pray silently as you hold that stone… (pause here for silent prayer)
...Amen.

Now, there are a few things you can do with this stone;
as you leave you can trade stones with another person,
sharing the concern that God laid upon your heart,
or you can take the stone home,
maybe put it in your coat pocket so every time you feel it in there,
you remember to pray for the person or situation
that God laid on your heart.
Or you can leave it on the table as you leave
to signify that you are turning the situation over to God.
Each of us will be led to do something different,
there is not right or wrong thing to do…
open yourself to the Holy Spirit’s guidance as we sing the next song.