Jelly Bean Prayers
It has been said that prayer is the work, and yet, the act of prayer can mistakenly seem void of power. Often people will bemoan the fact that all they can do is pray. Goodness, how they have missed the mark with this sentiment. The earliest version of the post-resurrection church is found in Acts 2:42, and we find them engaged in many faithful practices, including prayer, “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Prayer is the work – it is important, and it is vital to pass it on to the next generation
Jelly Beans are a tasty and fun way to teach about the practice of prayer in a story form. There are a few different versions of the Jelly Bean Prayer in circulation. Here is one of them: red is for the color of Jesus’ love for us as he died on the cross; black is for the darkness of the tomb as they placed his body in it; yellow is for the bright sun as it shone on the empty tomb; white is for the forgiveness of all our sins because of his death and resurrection; green is for our desire to grow in our faith as we follow Jesus.
Read the following verses.
Luke 24:13-32
13 Now that same day two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, which was about seven miles[a] from Jerusalem. 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they[b] were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Then he asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having[c] with each other as you are walking?”And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.
18 The one named Cleopas answered him, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked them.
So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet powerful in action and speech before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death,and they crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was about to redeem Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find his body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow[d] to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Wasn’t it necessary for the Messiah to suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted for them the things concerning himself in all the Scriptures.
28 They came near the village where they were going, and he gave the impression that he was going farther. 29 But they urged him, “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 It was as he reclined at the table with them that he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?”
Tell the story of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection using the jelly beans. Say a prayer to God together of thankfulness for the gift of his love for us.
Content inspired by Faithful Families for Lent, Easter, and Resurrection by Tracy Smith – Chalice Press: 2021. All rights Reserved.
