These four prayer activities are tightly linked to the story of Harry Potter, a novel written by J.K. Rowling. They are related to a particular Hogwarts House (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff). Even though all Houses’ have their values to cherish so that one can have a deeper understanding of who they are, each House has particular qualities that distinguish them from each other.
Equipment: White paper/snowflake templates, scissors, pens, string, glue-tac, pictures of Harry, Hedwig & the Weasleys, trays of sand & plastic mat, a large table, pebbles, a Christmas tree, baubles, pens, images of hope including a sunrise, new flowers, smiling faces and friendship
Creating this space with these particular prayer activities originated from what our Year 8s – 10s students show interest in about books and movies. The aim is to help individuals become who they were created to be with a purpose. They will understand and realise that they belong in our school’s caring community. (BeSpace. “Downloads for Organising a School Prayer Space”)
The participants for these sessions will be all students at the secondary level and the whole school staff (optional).
As a pastoral care team member, I noticed that most students (as well as some staff members) are fans of the Harry Potter series (books & movies). Therefore, I thought of creating a space where both students and staff can easily relate to but will guide them to a deeper understanding of their own identity about their peers/colleagues/family members (the other), their relationship with the world/environment and God. Together with the team, we have observed that enthusiasm for life – to live, is lacking, and it is not just the students.
These prayer activities aim to enhance the school community’s good values and better understand what is in connection with oneself, others, the world and God/transcendent being means.
Further on, as one might notice, the four activities are linked to a particular Hogwarts House (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff). Even though all Houses’ have their values to cherish so that one can have a deeper understanding of who they are, each House has particular qualities that distinguish them from each other.
The House of Gryffindor is related to the Identity prayer activity (oneself).
The House of Slytherin is related to the Sorry prayer activity (others).
The House of Hufflepuff is related to the Broken World prayer activity (environment).
The House of Ravenclaw is related to the Hope prayer activity (God).
What is the spiritual need?
First and foremost, as a team we tried to observe and notice what is the spiritual need/s of the students and staff at that particular moment.
Setting up the space:
We thought and agreed that the school hall will be ideal for this particular prayer activity since all activities are related to the same movie/book series.
Easy to access and relevance:
These activities are easy to relate to since our students’ demand regarding the Harry Potter series is great. We thought they may easily be intrigued and excited to do such prayer activities.
Explanation:
Although I truly believe that before the students are sent off to do the prayer activities on their own there should be a collective explanation and a moment of prayer altogether, the instruction cards should be clear and simple. Like that the students will have better access to it and immediately understand what they need to do.
Engagement:
All prayer activities are a hand – on experience. Therefore, the participants will have something to do, as well as something to look at and think about.
Inclusive
Since in our school, we have students who are not all of the same faith, these prayer activities are welcoming to those of all faiths and none. While being a ‘prayer’ activity, those who do not ‘believe’ can still relate to these activities since the Harry Potter series has nothing rooted in any faiths we know about.
Skills
These prayer activities will teach skills and ideas that can be taken away and practised daily. These include life skills such as forgiving, knowing more about oneself and raising humanitarian and environmental awareness.
Values
These prayer activities are rooted in Jesus’s values. Even if they are linked to a fictional story, the participants will understand why they are doing what they do through life, the ministry, and the words of Jesus, even if they are not labelled as such.
The following questions would be presented to the participants as well as the team members who participated in organising these prayer activities.
Questions:
Please tick the following aspects of the activities:
Very Good
Good
Needs improvement
Not good
Date and time
Prayer Activity 1HP: Identity
Prayer Activity 2HP: Sorry
Prayer Activity 3HP: Broken World
Prayer Activity 4HP: Hope
Venue
What did you like most about the sessions/activities?
What did you like least about the sessions/activities?
How do you think this activity, in general, could have been improved?
Based on your experience with this activity, how likely are you to attend future events? (Please tick below)
Very likely
Somewhat likely
Not sure/Neutral
Probably not
Not likely
What topics would you like to see discussed at future activities?
What positive outcomes do you feel you have achieved from the whole activity?
Was there any new insights to you own personality?
Do you have any other suggestions or comments to help us improve our future activities?
All participants will be invited to share their ideas of what succeeded and what did not. They will be asked to either talk to one of the pastoral team members, post a note in the suggestion box, or fill in the above questionnaire.
Feedback
The set – up:
Regarding the set–up and space, the hall was best for such activities. However, it would be ideal to have one or two of these activities set – up in another class or open space, this is also to have the participants physically move around. Given that we are short of space, the hall served as a great structure.
The spiritual need:
I believe that these activities have contributed to the spiritual development of the participants, apart from having enjoyed themselves doing these activities because they could easily relate to them.
The activities: Overall, we are quite satisfied regarding the activities, but we could have considered in including more tangible experiences such as the smell or taste experience to be more inclusive.
Activities and Resources
This prayer activity forms part of the other activities related to the Harry Potter series. Such an activity will help participants think about their differences and their uniqueness.
Harry’s first Christmas at Hogwarts was spent with the Weasley siblings, two of whom were Fred and George (identical twins). Harry was surprised to find himself standing in front of Hogwarts grounds covered with snow.
Scientists declare that each snowflake is distinctive. No two snowflakes are the same. All individuals are unique too. No two people are the same. No two people have the same story, the same looks, or the same likes. Most of all, not even identical twins like Fred and George Weasley or Parvati and Padma Patil!
This activity encourages the participants to acknowledge their individuality (and others) as a beautiful quality.
Equipment:
White paper/snowflake templates, scissors, pens, string, glue-tac, pictures of Harry/Hedwig & the Weasleys.
Instructions:
Did you know that every single snowflake is unique and different?
Harry met a lot of different people at Hogwarts. Despite their differences, most of them became the best of friends. Two of them were also identical twins – Fred and George Weasley.
Like a snowflake, you are different to everyone else.
Take a snowflake and decorate it with things about yourself and colours.
Thank God for who you are and the different qualities you have.
When you are done, hang it on the board with the others.
Remember that You are unique and amazing!
This prayer activity forms part of the other activities related to the Harry Potter series. When Harry was at the Quidditch World Cup, he saw someone who had fired the Dark Mark into the sky.
At Hogwarts, a new professor (Alister Moody) was appointed for the post of Defence against the Dark Arts. This professor initially seems nice to Harry, but eventually, he tries to kill him on orders of Voldemort. Harry was tempted to do something bad against his friends in the long run. This bad thing hurts many others and eventually hurts Harry too.
Doing bad things sometimes feels good at first, but it almost always hurts people. And sometimes we get hurt too.
When we realise that we have done or said something bad, it is important to ‘turn away’ from the bad thing and to say sorry.
This activity invites students to think of something bad that they might have done or said- something that they regret – and then if they want to, use the sand trays as a way of ‘saying sorry.’
Equipment:
Trays of sand & plastic mat
Instructions:
Like Harry and other characters in Harry Potter, we are all tempted to do or say something bad that eventually will hurt others and ourselves.
Is there something that you have done or said recently that you regret?
Think about the thing that you regret.
Write the word ‘sorry’ into the sand.
When you have done that, you can brush it away again as a way of saying, or praying, that you will try not to do that thing again.
If you want, you can also try confessing what you did wrong and maybe ask pardon from those you hurt.
This prayer activity forms part of the other activities related to the Harry Potter series. When Voldemort realised that Harry and his friends have the power of LOVE and Teamwork, he felt vulnerable and afraid.
The newly appointed principal – Dolores Umbridge – persuaded Cho Chang to betray the others in Dumbledore’s Army through torture. Because of this betrayal, Umbridge claimed that all of them belonged to her – that she had the right to punish them even if it would be unfair.
All of Harry’s friends agreed to take the punishment and not let Harry suffer alone. They saw a need, and they tried to help.
When we do or say bad things, or when bad things happen around us, we can feel broken inside. When bad things happen around the world, it can feel like the world is broken too.
This activity asks students what they think is broken in the world, e.g., famine, sickness, or war. The students can write or draw their hopes or prayers about what needs fixing onto the stone template or pebbles on the table.
Equipment:
A large table, pens, stone templates, or pebbles
Instructions:
All of Harry’s friends agreed to take the punishment and not let Harry suffer alone. They saw a need, and they tried to help.
When bad things happen around the world, it can feel like the world is broken too.
What do you think is broken in the world?
Maybe things like wars, hunger, sickness, racism, and hatred?
Write or draw a thought or prayer about what needs to be fixed.
Take your time to reflect on this and pray about it.
This prayer activity forms part of the other activities related to the Harry Potter series. At the end, Harry offered his own life to save the others. He lay dead in Hagrid’s arms while Voldemort was addressing all on Hogwarts grounds.
However, Harry’s good magic was deeper and more powerful than Voldemort’s bad magic. Harry returned to life – he was resurrected – and brought hope back.
(Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross but came back to life again – was resurrected – 3 days later. This gives Christians hope.)
This activity invites students to think about hope – what is hope, and how do we find it?
It invites students to think of someone (maybe themselves, or someone they know) who is having a difficult time and needs hope.
Equipment:
A Christmas tree, real baubles, cardboard cut-out bauble-shapes, pens, scissors, images of hope, e.g., a sunrise, new flowers, smiling faces, friendship, and so on.
Instructions:
When Harry died at the end of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Voldemort and the Death Eaters thought they had won. But Harry’s good magic was more profound and more powerful than Voldemort’s evil magic. Harry returned to life – he was resurrected – and brought HOPE back.
Are you, or is someone you know, having a difficult time?
Do you, or does someone you know, need hope?
Write or draw a thought or prayer of hope onto a paper bauble.
Pray about it.
When you are done, hang it on the tree.
Share
We want to get to know you. To be able to bookmark your favourite content, please log in or sign up below.
