Bright IdeasTo find additional activities for your class, visit www.webelieveweb.com.

Psalms for SummerPrayer Celebration

Suggested Activities$ Show children how to personalize a psalm by giving

them the first line and inviting them to fill in the

next sentence. For example:

“I will praise you among the peoples, Lord;

I will _______________” (Psalm 108:4).

$ Write one or two verses of a psalm of praise or

thanksgiving on index cards. Give these to the

children to decorate. Then encourage them to place

the cards where they can see them each morning,

reminding them to give God thanks and praise

throughout the summer.

Summertime. The season evokes images of backyard barbeques, cold glasses of lemonade, vacations by the sea, and lazing in a hammock. Birdsong and blossoming gardens, gentle breezes and warm evenings. Even if we get to experience just a few of these things, the season can be a time of backing off from overload and of savoring the abundant gifts of God.

Psalms are appropriate for all seasons of the year, but some lend themselves more easily to summertime sensibilities. Psalms that express delight in the wonders of God’s creation and sing praises for God’s generosity and kindness seem particularly apropos during the season of summer. As poetry, the words of the psalms encapsulate gratitude and appreciation for the gifts God bestows upon us:

“Sing praise to the Lord, you faithful, give thanks to God’s holy name” (Psalm 30:5).

Psalms are not only meant to be said, but also to be sung. Just think of how a simple melody can stay in your mind long after you have heard it. In the same way, a chanted psalm can stay with you throughout the day and into the night, and keep us mindful of God’s presence in the wonders of creation:

“You water the mountains from your palace; by your labor the earth abounds.

You raise grass for the cattle and plants for our beasts of burden.

You bring bread from the earth” (Psalm 104:13–14).

As spring’s seedlings give way to summer’s lush growth, the psalms rise easily to our lips, raising our voices in songs of praise, thanksgiving and wonder for a God who blesses us with so many good things.

Preparation: Arrange a table with a decorative cloth and an open Bible set on a stand. Decorate the prayer space with signs of summer, such as potted plants, vases of flowers, beach toys, roller skates, etc.

Gather the children together in a circle around the prayer table. All are seated.

Leader: Point out the different items around the prayer table and how each one represents something for summer. Invite the children to name things they enjoy doing during the summer months. Explain how we can use the psalms from the Bible to express our praise and thanksgiving for all that God gives us during the summer. Invite them to join in praying parts of Psalm 148, and to repeat the gestures you show them.

All stand.

Leader: Spread your arms out towards the sky.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; give praise in the heights. Praise him, sun and moon; give praise all shining stars.

All: Praise and thanks to God!

Leader: Making a swimming motion with your hands and arms.

Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deep waters.

Wave your hands back and forth in a wind-like motion.

You lightning and hail, snow and clouds, storm winds that fulfill his command;

Stand tall like a mountain and then like a tree.

You mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars;

Lumber around like an animal on the prowl and flap arms in flying motion.

You animals wild and tame; you creatures that crawl and fly. . . Let . . .all praise the Lord’s name, for his name alone is exalted, majestic above earth and heaven.

All: Praise and thanks to God!

Leader: May God bless each of us this summer, keep us safe from harm, and remind us to rejoice in all of the good gifts of creation.

All: Amen.

If desired, end with a joyful hymn of praise and thanksgiving.

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www.Sadlier.com/Religion  •  Toll Free 800-221-5175

Directions: Use the words in the picture to complete each psalm. Then draw yourself in the picture, showing a way you are going to enjoy God’s gifts this summer.

“From the rising of the ___ ___ ___ to its setting, let the name of the Lord be praised.” Psalm 113:3

“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth; break into ___ ___ ___ ___; sing praise.” Psalm 98:4

“I will praise the Lord with all my ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.” Psalm 111:1

“God’s stream is filled with ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.” Psalm 65:10

“The earth is full of your ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___.” Psalm 104:24

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