On Every Flower a Prayer

Praying with a Daisy Chain

To make a daisy chain, pick about a dozen fresh daisies, as long-stemmed as possible. Near the root end, make a slit in the stem with your thumb nail and thread a daisy through until its head meets the slit. Then repeat the exercise with the next daisy until all the daisies have been used and a long chain has been created. On the last stem, make a slit large enough to take the head of the first daisy to make a complete ring.

Praying with a daisy chain is an adaptation of praying with beads, which have been used as a focus for repetitive prayer in a number of religions throughout the centuries.

Intercession for others and petition for your own needs is not always easy, but repetition of a familiar phrase as you gently finger the flower heads is something you can feel you are 'doing' for people and helps to 'ground' you in God‛s presence.

Pray for God‛s guidance and you will soon find your own prayers from within your bible, hymnbook or prayer book.

Hold your daisy chain quietly and reverently, praying your chosen phrase on each flower head.

Here are some examples of prayers and verses of scripture which may help

For those bereaved

Happy are those who mourn; God will comfort them! (Matthew 5:4)

For when we find it difficult to come to terms with a situation and to face the future

Lord grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference.

For a teenage mother and baby

He will gather the lambs together and carry them in his arms; he will gently lead their mothers. (Isaiah 40:11)

For the farming community

1. All the animals in the forest are mine
2. And the cattle on thousands of hills
3. All the wild birds are mine
4. And all living things in the fields
5. Call to me when trouble comes;
I will save you, and you will praise me. (Psalm 50: 10,11,15)

For a couple who have suffered a miscarriage

He will cover you with his wings; you will be safe in his care. (Psalm 91:4)

In remembrance of a choir conductor who died suddenly

Sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts. (Ephesians 5:19)

For someone diagnosed with a long term medical condition

When I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

For those who are working for peace and unity in the troubled areas of the world

Blessed are the peacemakers
May they know your presence
May they all be one
Lord have mercy
May your will be done

For people with whom I find it difficult to get on

Love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4)

For one who has experienced failure

My grace is all you need, for my power is strongest when you are weak (2 Corinthians 12:9)

For one who is anxiously awaiting hospital admission and treatment

Peace is what I leave with you; It is my own peace that I give you (John 14:27)

For a person living with cancer

If we share Christ‛s suffering, we will also share his glory. (Romans 8:17)

For someone who is ill and seeks prayer, but does not wish to be identified

If I only touch his cloak, I will get well. (Matthew 9:21)

For a family estranged

Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us. (Matthew 6:12)

For someone preparing to speak at an Alpha group

Come back and quietly trust in me. Then you will be strong and secure. (Isaiah 30:15)

For a teenage boy, temporarily homeless, estranged from his family and fearful of being drawn into criminality and drug use

The Lord will protect you from all danger; he will keep you safe.(Psalm 121:7)

For use in many different situations

Be still and know that I am God
I am the Lord who healeth thee
In thee O Lord do I put my trust.