How to Use the Prayer Beads You Collected During Lent
by The Office
These are suggested uses for your prayer beads. Ultimately, you may use them however you like.
The first bead is black for Ash Wednesday and the theme was vulnerable. You may pray for the courage to be more vulnerable with those around you, to face the things that make you feel vulnerable, or for those who are vulnerable to the powers of this world.
The second bead is sparkly for the first Sunday in Lent and the theme was temptation. You may pray for the strength to face your own temptations, or pray for others who are struggling with their temptations.
The third bead is pink for the second Sunday in Lent and the theme was unknowing. You may pray for the grace to accept all that is unknown to you, or pray for those who are facing uncertainty in their lives.
The fourth bead is yellow for the third Sunday in Lent and the theme was acceptance. You may pray for the ability to accept yourself and all that you cannot change, or pray for others who struggle to accept themselves.
The fifth bead is green for the fourth Sunday in Lent and the theme was liberation. You may pray for your own liberation, to participate in the liberation of others, or pray for those in need of liberation.
The sixth bead is red for the fifth Sunday in Lent and the theme was Unbinding. You may pray for your own unbinding from that which holds you to despair, or pray for the unbinding of those who find themselves in desperate situations.
The seventh bead is purple for Palm Sunday and the theme was risk. You may pray for the wisdom to take risks for the greater good or your own healing, or pray for those who take too many risks or those who don’t take enough risks.
The eighth bead is orange for Reconciliation and Release and the theme was forgiveness. You may pray for your own forgiveness, or those you need to forgive, or pray for those who struggle to accept that they are forgiven.
The nineth bead is blue for Maundy Thursday and the theme was service. You may pray for the compassion to serve the vulnerable in our midst, or pray for those in need of service.
The tenth bead is a smaller stone bead for Good Friday and the theme was stillness. You may pray for the ability to be still in spirit if not in your bodymind, or pray for those who have no time to even think about being still.
The eleventh bead is white for Easter and the theme was resurrection. You may pray in gratitude for the new life that always greets us when we are ready, or pray for those who need the healing and wholeness new life brings.
You may follow this guide or simply use your beads as a means of keeping yourself focused on prayer, or being open to the ways of the Spirit. Do whatever works best for you.
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Posts from the office are composed by church staff and leadership at Living Table United Church of Christ in Minneapolis, on behalf of the church membership.
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I love the prayer beads… thanks for the care that went into choosing them and making them available with this thoughtful guide.
Erika, I am glad you like the prayer beads. I hope others are enjoying them as well.