How to Decorate for the National Prayer Day

Create an environment conducive to prayer for your National Day of Prayer event.

There are several ways to decorate for the National Day of Prayer. Held the first Thursday in May, this celebration was officially designated in 1952. According to the National Day of Prayer website, the mission behind this event is to "mobilize prayer in America and to encourage personal repentance and righteousness in the culture." If you are organizing a National Day of Prayer gathering, appropriate decorations will help create the perfect atmosphere for the event.

Instructions

1. Create a peaceful environment conducive to prayer. Place candles around the venue to create soft lighting. Frame handwritten prayers by local children and place around the room. Clip news articles about issues affecting the nation and arrange in displays to remind attendees about prayer needs.

2. Decorate in patriotic colors, featuring red, white and blue throughout the prayer day location. Coordinate the patriotic colors such as with a blue tablecloth, white plates and red napkins. Mount small American flags, along with a cross, in floral foam, then wrap the base with colored tissue paper and ribbon to create tabletop centerpieces. Place patriotic swags on the front of the stage and podium. Purchase red, blue and gold metallic stars or make with heavy card stock paper. Hang stars from the ceiling or stage area with fish line.

3. Have attendees submit specific prayers in advance on a small piece of paper. Place slips of paper in balloons and have them blown up prior to the event. Create balloon bouquets as decorations at the National Day of Prayer celebration, then release the balloons at the end of the event.

4. Have children and teens decorate bricks with the different names of God to symbolize the country's foundation. Place the bricks at the entrance of the National Prayer Day location. Incorporate the bricks into other areas of the venue by stacking on tables in creative ways. Use as platforms for other displays and stack in front of the podium.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the National Day of Prayer website at nationaldayofprayer.org to learn the theme for the current year's event and incorporate these ideas into your decorations.

References

• A Holiday Haven: The National Day of Prayer
• National Day of Prayer: Mission
• Grace-Harvest.com: Suggested Ideas for Helping Youth Learn About Prayer and Celebrate the NDP at Church, Home or School
• WallPraise.com: Knoxville Day of Prayer
• Nola.com: North Lake Christian School Celebrates National Day of Prayer