Prayer in Lent

WALT (We Are Learning To)

• Understand what prayer during Lent means for Christian believers.
• Explore different prayer practices commonly observed by children during Lent: extra prayers, Stations of the Cross, and quiet moments with God.
• Reflect on how these prayers support personal growth and spiritual focus during Lent.
• Practice simple prayers and reflective actions suitable for Year 6-7 students.

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Curriculum Linkages

This lesson aligns with the New Zealand Curriculum key competencies and learning areas, particularly Religious Education as part of a broad general education, and the health and well-being aspects related to spiritual growth. Relevant curriculum elements include:

• Key Competencies:

  • Managing self — students take responsibility for their learning through reflective thinking about prayer.
  • Relating to others — sharing ideas about prayer in small groups.
  • Using language, symbols, and texts — understanding and using prayer language.
  • Thinking — reflecting on the meaning of Lent and prayer.

• Values (NZC page 10): Encouraging respect for others' beliefs and community and participation by sharing prayer experiences.

• Learning Area: Religious Education (within Social Sciences) can focus on practices and beliefs related to Lent and prayer.

This lesson also supports literacy goals, as pupils engage in oral, visual, and written language related to spiritual concepts and prayer reflections.

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Success Criteria

Students will be able to:

• Describe what Lent is and why prayer is important during Lent.
• Identify and explain at least three types of prayer practices used during Lent.
• Demonstrate a simple prayer or reflective activity related to Lent.
• Show respect for their own and others’ prayer experiences.

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Lesson Timeline (20 minutes)

1. Starter: Quick Quiz & Think-Pair-Share (5 minutes)

• Pose the starter question: "What do you know about prayer during Lent?"
• Students write one or two ideas individually.
• Pair up and share ideas with a partner.
• Class discussion: Teacher notes key ideas on the board about what Lent is and types of prayers during this time.

2. Exploring Prayer Practices During Lent (7 minutes)

• Teacher introduces the three common prayer practices for children during Lent:

  • Extra Prayers: Saying small additional prayers daily.
  • Stations of the Cross: A simple guided reflection on Jesus' journey, visualised with pictures or cards.
  • Quiet Moments with God: Taking time to be still and reflect quietly.

• Provide a dyslexia-friendly printed handout with easy-to-read prayer suggestions and pictures illustrating each practice.

• Students form small groups (3-4 students) and are given a card describing one of the three practices with example prayers/actions. Each group discusses how they think it helps during Lent.

• Groups share their thoughts with the class briefly.

3. Hands-on Prayer Activity (5 minutes)

• Choose one or two simple prayers appropriate to the class, for example:

  • The "Lenten Prayer for Children" (short and accessible).
  • A guided silent reflection (quiet moment).

• Teacher leads the class in these prayers and quiet reflection moments, encouraging focus and mindfulness.

• Alternatively, practice a brief version of the Stations of the Cross by showing 3-4 illustrated stations and reading simple reflections with the students.

4. Exit Question & Reflection (3 minutes)

• Teacher asks each student to write or draw their favourite prayer or what they learned about prayer during Lent.
• Quick sharing option for volunteers.
• Remind students they can try extra prayers or quiet reflection during Lent at home.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide dyslexia-friendly resources: use clear fonts, bullet points, and illustrations.
• Visual and tactile learners benefit from Stations of the Cross cards or images.
• Verbal learners encouraged to discuss and explain during pair and group work.
• Allow oral responses instead of writing for students who need it.
• Scaffold reflection by providing sentence starters, e.g., "I like the prayer about...", "During Lent, I can..."

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Extension Activity for Advanced Learners

• Research and present a brief description of a Lenten prayer tradition from another culture or Christian denomination.
• Write their own short prayer related to giving, forgiveness, or gratitude during Lent.
• Lead a small group in a prayer activity or reflection.

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This lesson is designed to fit a 20-minute session with Year 6-7 students, comfortably addressing learning needs of diverse learners and incorporating active, reflective, and verbal components to engage attention and understanding about prayer practices during the Lent period in line with NZ curriculum principles .

If you require, I can also provide the dyslexia-friendly prayer handout text content and simple Stations of the Cross outline for your class.