Discover the expert in you.
Discover the expert in you.
Although Muslim rosaries go by two different names, subhah and misbaha, their composition and function are the same. Often made of ebony, date pits or ivory, the 100, 33 or 25 round beads (representing the names of God) are spaced wide enough apart to bang against the one above or below it with a few twirls of the fingers. The distinctive "click" sound made by the beads marks the time when Muslims recite short prayers, such as "Glory to Allah." Try making a subhah or misbaha out of wrapped wire; crafting your own may strengthen your faith.
In the Bible, Samuel’s mother, Hannah, dedicates him at birth to service in the holy temple. In chapter three of the First Book of Samuel, Samuel hears the voice of God calling to him. Three times he thinks he is hearing the voice of Eli, the High Priest of Shiloh and Samuel’s teacher. In reality, he is hearing the voice of God. The story of the calling of Samuel is a fundamental text in the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths. Crafts based on this story will help young children understand and remember its lessons.
Over half of American Christians engage in daily prayer and about one-third say that they experience answered prayer at least once a month, according to The Washington Post. A 2008 study released by Brandeis University reveals that more than 90 percent of Americans pray and expect an answer. Jesus considered prayer an important practice and taught his followers how to pray in Matthew 6:5-13. The Bible contains many stories about the power of prayer that teachers can employ in lessons.
Making rosary beads from dried rose petals you gather from your garden is a sacred undertaking that makes the piece of religious jewelry special. Create your own rosary from beads that you grind, shape and form as gifts for others, or for your own personal use.
Intercessory prayer holds a place of honor in many faith traditions. The Bible includes examples of people who prayed for others and witnessed a change in the circumstances facing an individual or a nation. Adults and children should learn the value of intercessory prayer and how to do it. Sunday school teachers, Bible teachers and pastors frequently include a lesson on intercessory prayer as a regular part of the annual curriculum or sermon schedule.
The Latin Mass itself can rightly be called the Mass of the Apostles since it dates back to the time of Our Lord and the Apostles. The Traditional Mass is performed in Latin, the maternal language of the Roman Catholic Church. Mass functions as a living entity of faith for Catholic believers. Attendance and following the prayers as guidance are essentials of Christian belief.
The rosary, a Catholic tradition, has been passed down through families for decades. Both adults and children alike find solace and meaning in the repetitive and illustrative novenas and prayers. If you plan to teach the rosary to children, you can make your own rosary in several ways while showing the children the prayers that coincide with each part.
Knitting a prayer shawl is a rewarding act for both the knitter and the recipient of the shawl. Many charities, Veteran’s homes, hospitals, nursing homes and hospices accept prayer shawls for patients. These shawls create a source of comfort for the patient, and are a simple way to use your knitting talents to give back to your community. A beginner knitter can easily master this simple pattern and knit a prayer shawl in just a few hours.
A wedding happens in just a few hours but making a fulfilling marriage takes time, energy and lots of hard work. No matter your age, race or religion, you can succeed in your marriage relationship. Several keys to a fulfilling marriage will help you enjoy your life together as husband and wife.
Prayer wheels can be used to remind you to pray using a list of prayer needs and requests or verses from Scripture. Prayer wheels are used by devout monks and various people of different faiths. The practice has been appropriated for church and Sunday school. A prayer wheel can be made using simple crafting skills.
The Pilgrims used the original Thanksgiving at Plymouth Rock to give thanks to God for surviving the winter and creating a new home in America. They shared the event with the Native American tribe that befriended them and taught them survival skills. Today, people give thanks on Thanksgiving for many reasons. Each family may use various ways to show gratitude.
With the noise, stress and busyness of everyday life, a prayer room is a wonderful place to relax and find peace in prayer and meditation. Create a soothing atmosphere through soft colors, comfortable seating, soft music and candles that will quickly take you away from the cares of the day and into an attitude of prayer. Building your very own prayer room encourages you to seek out a time of prayer each and every day.
A Jewish prayer shawl is also known as a "tallit" or "tallis" in Hebrew. Jewish prayer shawls frequently exhibit navy or black stripe patterns, however, there are actually very few religious requirements regarding the actual design of the shawl itself. This crochet Jewish prayer shawl pattern makes a solid-colored shawl, however, you may add stripes if you desire. This pattern is best-suited for the experienced crocheter. Practice working basic crochet stitches, such as chain and double crochet, before beginning this pattern.
Mala prayer beads are a type of rosary used in Buddhism and Hinduism during meditation. The beads are typically rotated through the thumb, middle and ring fingers during prayer or while chanting an affirmation or mantra. Materials used for the beads often include shells, seeds, or semi-precious stones, such as carnelian or amethyst. The most common material is sandalwood. To make your own prayer bead, select the typical bead sizes of between 10 and 12 millimeters. A full size Mala prayer design includes 108 to 111 beads. It is finished with a "guru" bead that has 3 holes and sometimes…
The tallit is a prayer shawl worn by Jews during weekday morning services, on the Sabbath and on religious occasions. In some sects of Judaism, the groom wears a tallit during his wedding, although it is not a common custom. Use of the tallit has evolved over the centuries, both in how it is used and who may wear it.
A rosary is a strand of prayer beads that many Christians, especially Catholics, use for devotion. For each bead on a rosary, a prayer is said. The beads guide a person to keep count of prayers during recitation -- she holds a bead as she says a prayer, and then moves on to the next bead. There are different styles and kinds of rosaries, including the ladder rosary.
One of the mainstays in the Catholic tradition is the praying of the rosary. The rosary consists of a string of beads attached to a crucifix and can be made from a variety of materials such as glass, wood and crystal. The prayers associated with the rosary all share the common purpose of having Catholics reflect on the life and passion, or suffering, of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, praying the rosary in accordance to set conditions enable the person to gain certain indulgences.
Worshipping in a familiar environment with other like-minded individuals fosters a sense of comfort and understanding. Including prayer rituals in this dynamic heightens the emotional experience for Christian followers, according to the Chicago Theological Seminary at Ctschicago.edu. Allow your positive weekend experience to carry you through challenges during the week. Turn to individual members of your congregation for prayer and spiritual restitution as weekday problems arise.
The prayer shawl, or "tallit gadol" in Hebrew, is a ritual object full of symbolism. Wrapping oneself in the prayer shawl signifies being surrounded by the encompassing light of the Creator. Each part of the garment contains features that remind the wearer of powerful ideas in Judaism.
Prayer chains are a service provided by a network of people that offer quick and meaningful prayers. Anyone who wishes to have greater numbers of people pray for them, a loved one or for just about any kind of worthy cause can submit a request for prayers through a prayer chain. The service then provides the information to all those who wish to pray. There are many online prayer chain services, though chances are your local church has a prayer chain service already available. However, if you find your local church does not, any member of the congregation can ask…
Starting a prayer group takes forethought and self-knowledge. First, the leader must know why she wants to start the group; her reasons direct the group's growth and direction. They also influence her selections for potential group members. Although the leader does not need to be an expert in prayer, she should have a strong prayer life and be willing to lead prayers in the group.
A prayer shawl ministry creates prayer shawls for those who are sick, in need of comfort or those who minister to others through the ministry of prayer. Members of the prayer shawl ministry knit, crochet or sew the shawls as they pray for those who receive the shawls. The craftsperson bathes the shawl in prayer as they make each stitch or step in the pattern. Churches and ministry groups that undertake this kind of work use donated materials so ministry workers don't have to pay for the supplies. The donations allow the shawls to be given to recipients rather than…
Prayer shawls, peace shawls, comfort shawls or mantels are sent to those in need, with a blessing from the person who made them. During the years of the war, ministries have sent prayer shawls to soldiers and families of those affected in Iraq. While crocheting the Iraqi prayer shawl, the maker prays for safety and justice, health and recovery, or anything else they wish. Through making the shawls, people can show their care and concern and provide comfort to those suffering many hundreds of miles away.
Two are better than one; or so goes the thinking behind prayer teams. Prayer teams consist of two or more individuals who pray together, as opposed to individually, united in their belief in their religion and the idea that prayers can be answered when a group of people are focused on the effort.
A Jewish prayer shawl, also known as a tallit, is worn over the outer clothes during morning prayers and on holidays. Many people wear their tallit for a long time without washing, as they fear it will be ruined or fall apart. However, tallits can be washed successfully with proper care.
Prayer shawls are made and given to people in times of need or to mark special occasions. They can be knitted, crocheted, woven or sewn. There is no one pattern to sew a prayer shawl---anything that is made with the right intentions and results in a something that can be draped and worn to offer comfort will work. One simple pattern for a sewn prayer shawl has two front pieces and leaves the arms free.
Crocheting for men is similar to crocheting for women; there are only a few small adjustments to make. First, a man's prayer shawl should be larger than a woman's because men are typically taller, with a wider arm span. In addition, men's prayer shawls are generally suited to simple stitch patterns, without intricate borders or designs. Bulky weight yarn in a neutral color, such as brown, gray, black or tan, is suitable for prayer shawls for men.
A prayer tree is a lovely craft to make around the holidays and makes for a wonderful craft for Bible classes. The trees can be constructed for individual use or by a group to pray for a common cause. Gather together a few basic supplies and start creating a beautiful prayer tree so you can display and hang your special prayers.
Christianity has a concept called backsliding that describes someone who converted to Christianity and now is reverting to behaviors he engaged in before accepting the doctrines of the religion. Therefore, a backslider is someone who, in the eyes of the organized Christian religion, isn't behaving how a Christian should. In many cases, the signs are there that someone is in the process of backsliding -- signs that can be apparent to those close to the person.
Tibetan monks are members of the Tibetan Buddhist community that have chosen to live in meekness, some refraining from sexual activity and all acting in obedience as part of their vows. They follow the teachings of Buddhism, with influences from Mahayana and Vajrayana, in attempt to achieve spiritual development and enlightenment. Tibetan monks spend much of their time meditating, learning and working in Tibetan temples or monasteries.
Thought to have originated in Colorado in 1864, the sport of bull riding has become one of the major disciplines of rodeo meetings. Bull riding involves a rider holding on to a braided rope around the bull's chest and trying to remain seated for eight seconds. The bull is then distracted and the rider escapes and is judged on his riding technique. While most professional riders have historically used a rope made from nine cords braided together, today's up-and-coming riders are increasingly using a rope made from only five cords.
Whether you have led worship music for 20 years or are nervously anticipating your first service and wondering how to lead worship music, senior pastor Kevin Campbell-White of The Bridge Church of the Nazarene in Redmond, Oregon, advises, "A perfect service is not about perfect music but perfect worship; and perfect worship is all about God." The key to a successful worship service is not technical perfection but openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit to let Him bring the congregation into a spirit of worship. So a well-crafted worship set creates a worshipful mood to help worshippers lay…
In the Catholic religion, the rosary is a device used to pray to Mary, the mother of God. Much like other religions, the prayer beads are held individually in one's hand while a corresponding prayer is said, depending on which bead is held. The rosary in Catholicism is as much a symbol of the religion as it is a tool to the people who practice it. Often, the rosary is the basis for many Catholic-themed craft projects, as it lends itself nicely to the task.
A prayer shawl will provide warmth, solace and inspiration to its recipient, if it is made correctly. Created in 1998 as part of a Christian ministry by Janet Bristow and Victoria A. Cole-Galo, prayer shawls are knit with prayerful intentions, blessed by clergy and passed along to the elderly, the infirm and others in need. Knitting a prayer shawl for someone can help that person endure a difficult time, such as mourning or stress, or celebrate an event such as marriage or childbirth.
The unique manner in which Islamic prayer is conducted arouses curiosity in children. It is the responsibility of parents, teachers and care-givers to effectively inform the children about Islamic prayer. If you use complicated terms, kids will lose interest or, worse, fail to understand the information. While providing information about Islamic prayer to kids, focus on the basics and present the information in a logical sequence.
A prayer wheel is regarded as a boon to a seeker. A wheel embossed with mantras or scriptures is used in Buddhism to aid in the process of enlightenment. It is essentially a hollow cylinder that could be set to spin during the mantra chanting or prayer recital. Although metal prayer wheels are the most common, prayer wheels are also made with wood, leather and coarse cotton.
Pennsylvania experienced a roller coaster of architectural designs and fads during the 20th century. Large Pennsylvania cities, such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, joined other large cities in the 20th century in building skyscrapers downtown. In suburbia, throwbacks to preexisting designs were all the rage during the early 20th century, but most Pennsylvania homes transitioned to the Modernist movement in the post-World War II era.
Picking up a backpack, pulling on a pair of hiking boots, and traveling around Southeast Asia is a rite-of-passage for many young people. Buddhist temples are scattered like confetti throughout Asia, and have a time-honored tradition of beckoning wandering travelers with their engaging history and sublime architecture. Buddhist temples are not meant to be intimidating to the curious foreigner, but there is a definite set of simple rules of etiquette you should always adhered to.
Buddhists do not visit temples at a designated time, but rather when they can. Each temple has a shrine room with a large Buddha statue, lecture room, meditation room and library. Visitors to Buddhist temples should respect traditional Buddhist principles. Buddhists take several vows to improve their behavior and these vows should be honored by temple visitors. These vows include: Not to hurt any living thing; speak kindly; do not use drugs or drink alcohol. Visitors can sometimes participate in temple worship activities, such as meditations, incense lightings, chants and offerings.
Passover is one of the most important holidays of the Jewish calendar. It is celebrating by eating a ritualized dinner called the Seder, which combines prayer and recounting of Jewish history with eating and wine drinking. During the Seder, the celebrant must eat or drink particular foods -- such as matzah -- at particular times as part of the prayer.
The "Enhanced Strong's Lexicon" defines discouragement as being disheartened. It is likened to sinking or withdrawing, and is characterized by fear of the future and loss of hope. At the heart of discouragement lies lack of trust in God. Trust in God brings hope and encouragement because of the knowledge that he is in control. Many people experience discouragement, but those who overcome it do so by relying on God. They experience peace, despite the hopelessness of their circumstances.
The birth of a child signifies a beginning of a new life, a joyous event that is welcome and celebrated in most religions. The Mormon or LDS (Latter-Day Saints) baby blessing ceremony is an opportunity for the family to receive the baby wholeheartedly and to announce the new arrival to the extended family, friends and loved ones.
A monastic retreat is a time of solitude and silence when individuals and groups can spend time in a remote location and reflect, pray or meditate. Opportunities are available to spend from a few days to a couple of months at a monastery and learn about living a well-balanced, peaceful life.
The clausular approach to praying the Rosary is a much older method developed by the Carthusians---a strict order of hermits---sometime in the High Middle Ages, near the end of the life of Dominic of Prussia in the 1450s. It was a long and slow development, and few Catholics use it. Many have no idea what it is. The basic tradition is that the "clausulae" are brief doctrinal statements made after every one of the "Hail Marys" of the Rosary.
Alexander the Great established Alexandria in 331 B.C. When Alexander's General Ptolemy became king of Egypt in 305 B.C, he made Alexandria his capital. Under the rule of King Ptolemy I and his descendants, it soon surpassed Athens as the cultural center of the Hellenistic world, or the regions of the ancient world influenced by Greek culture. It wasn't eclipsed until the early Middle Ages.
Prayer is the human effort in lifting up desires, concerns and offerings to a perceived supreme being. In many religions, such as Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism, the act of praying is termed "raising prayers." Many religions are in agreement that the state of the heart (morals and emotions) dictates the success or failure to raise a prayer to the heavens where it can be heard. Inner refinements such as forgiveness, turning from wrongs against others and cleanliness, are all part of raising prayers within many organized and unorganized religious belief systems.
On a Monday morning in October 2006, a gunman entered an Amish one-room schoolhouse in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He shot, in rapid fire at 10 young girls -- killing five, before killing himself. Members of the Amish community, including friends and relatives of the slain, visited the gunman's widow bringing food, flowers and hugs. At the killer's funeral, about half those in attendance were Amish, including the parents of the slain children. The shock of the violent shooting was eclipsed by the speed and earnestness of the forgiveness extended by the Amish to the family of the gunman. This experience…
The worship pastor is responsible for a Christian church's public worship services. As such, she is an important part of the ministry team in any church. The worship pastor's job is to ensure that everyone -- young and old, newcomer or long-time member -- has a meaningful spiritual experience in church. Whether it's an ordinary Sunday or a high festival such as Christmas or Easter, the worship pastor works with the musicians, preacher and other leaders to ensure that each service educates, inspires and uplifts the participants.
In April 2010, an explosion aboard the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon led to the largest oil spill in history, spewing more than 175 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Surface oil immediately began wrecking havoc on beaches, shorelines, and marshes and their populations. Evidence of this environmental tragedy was on quick and vivid display in oil-soaked wildlife coming ashore. However, beneath the water loomed deepwater and devastating plumes of oil creating further ripple effects of damage and destruction.
The Holy Rosary is a meditative prayer on the life of Jesus. Because there are numerous parts of praying the Rosary, the beads themselves provide a way to keep count of prayer while freeing the mind to concentrate on 20 Holy Mysteries of the Life of Christ. The 20 mysteries are divided in five sets of mysteries and each set of mysteries is prayed on a certain day or days of the week. You can read the five prayers of the Rosary from a script or recite from memory.
