How to use poppies to help families pray at Remembrance services
Visual aids, takeaway keepsakes and simple language can help families, especially those with children, to pray in church and at home
REPEATEDLY INVITING FAMILIES TO SPECIAL festival services throughout the year, especially those who have come to have their child baptised in the last year or so, helps them to stay connected to their church.
Remembrance services are some of the most well-attended services in the church calendar, attracting many families and uniformed groups of young people who may not come at other times of the year. Some of these families may not be used to regular prayer. Offering prayers with visual aids, keepsakes and accessible language will help them feel more involved and welcome.
This simple script for a prayer using poppies can involve everyone. Ensure as far as possible that everyone is given or takes a poppy as they arrive for the service.
The script:
“Look at your poppy or that of someone sitting near you if you don’t have one. Poppies are bright and cheerful flowers: give thanks to God for the lives of those who have died in war, remembering all the joy they brought to families and friends, and all the good things they did for their home and their country.
“Then look at the red petals: red reminds us of danger and harm. Ask God to be close to those who are still facing danger each day, to give courage to the armed forces, and compassion to all who help others.
“Place your whole hand over the poppy: poppies are also fragile and need to be handled gently. God cares for those who are hurting and those who are sad. Ask God to comfort all who are grieving the loss of someone they love.
“Finally place a finger on the centre of the poppy: ask God to help you play your part in working for peace in the world.”
