You’ve got a heart to teach kids how to pray but don’t know how to get started. Prayers are as varied as the kids you teach! If you need a place to begin, you can’t beat the Lord’s prayer. However, merely reciting it repeatedly won’t give kids the experience you’re after. Why not add some easy hand movements when you teach this prayer? It’s easy to learn and kids will remember it forever! Follow this easy guide for Lord’s prayer hand motions.
Note: These are simply a memorization tool. If you prefer, we have a video of the ASL sign language for the Lord’s Prayer.
Matthew 6:9-13 “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Our Father (Make a circle around your face with your right hand.)
In heaven (Point to heaven using your left hand.)
Hallowed be (Place both your hands in front of your face, palms facing out. )
Your name (Touch your lips with your pointer and middle finger.)
Your kingdom come (Beckon with your right hand, like you are asking a friend to come with you.)
Your will be done (Write in the air using your right hand.)
On earth (Make a circle in front of you with your left hand.)
As it is in heaven (Point to heaven with your right hand.)
Give us today (Cup your hands together in front of your chest.)
Our daily bread (Hold “bread” in your left hand and slice it with your right hand, two or three times.)
And forgive us our debts (Lift your empty palms up.)
As we also have forgiven our debtors (Flip your hands over, putting the palms down.)
And lead us not (Touch under your eyes with your fingers, making an arc outward.)
Into temptation (Put your hands over your mouth.)
But deliver us (Make your hands into fists and put them at your sides.)
From the evil one (Place the back of your right hand in front of your face, like you’re shielding your eyes.)
It’s pretty easy but it may take a few practice times to remember. Print a copy of this sheet and send it home with your volunteers and kids!
Read more from Mimi by visiting her blog at Tools for Kids Church.