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JUST JESUS AND ME: SELF GUIDED TIME WITH JESUS
[Links are the blue words.]
Guiding children before the Eucharistic Presence of our Lord with Guided Children's Adoration nurtures the children's friendship with Jesus and teaches them how to spend their time with Him. Guided Children's Adoration also prepares children for what they can do when they attend a “regular” time of quiet Eucharistic Adoration.
It is good for children to experience quiet Eucharistic Adoration visits outside of Guided Hours.
How wonderful for our children to be able to be in the same room as our Lord, their greatest friend - sitting and praying with Him, loving Him, and feeling Him love them!
Pope John Paul II said, “Dear young people, like the first disciples, follow Jesus! Do not be afraid to draw near to Him, . . . to speak to Him face to face, as you talk with a friend.”
What a wonderful life long Divine friendship to develop! A friendship our children can turn to no matter what. A place of love and mercy where children can can always meet with Jesus.
An hour is an excellent point to reach for, but a shorter time is good too! Just like you would rather spend five, ten, fifteen, thirty minutes with a good friend even if you can’t have a full hour. Jesus, your Divine Friend, would love to have you and your children come visit Him for a shorter visit as well.
Below, you will find downloadable materials to assist children in "regular" quiet times of Eucharistic Adoration - to spend time as Just Jesus and Me.
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My Time with Jesus
My Time with Jesus is a quiet self guided time for a child going to Adoration. It helps walk the child through greeting Jesus, praising Jesus, telling Jesus they are sorry, thanking Jesus, asking Jesus for needs, and listening to Jesus.
A 5 or 10 minute sand timer, pencil, and clip board are needed to go along with
My Time with Jesus.
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My Time with Jesus - Condensed
This is a condensed version of the above, "My Time with Jesus." There are no spaces for writing in responses or prayers, but prompts to reflect on them.
Print double sided and laminate for repeated use.
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Just Jesus and Me Prayer Cards
Below, you will find several sets of printable Just Jesus and Me cards for children to use in quiet Adoration time. The card sets provide prayers, options, and sometimes guidance so that the children can spend as much time as their heart desires on any particular one.
Each Just Jesus and Me card set grouping has four cards per page. The fronts and backs of each card set match so a group can be identified. If cards in a card set are broken into parts of a longer prayer or into instructions, the front of the cards are labeled in sequence.
Print each Just Jesus and Me card set grouping double sided on card stock, laminate if desired for longevity, cut apart, punch hole in upper left corner, and place on a ring.
Each Just Jesus and Me card set grouping has four cards per page. The fronts and backs of each card set match so a group can be identified. If cards in a card set are broken into parts of a longer prayer or into instructions, the front of the cards are labeled in sequence.
Print each Just Jesus and Me card set grouping double sided on card stock, laminate if desired for longevity, cut apart, punch hole in upper left corner, and place on a ring.
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20 cards in set
Slowly pray the line on the card. Bring to mind the image or thought that goes with that particular adore line OR Using 5 or 6 cards, repeat each adore line 2 or 3 times slowly and prayerfully. OR Look at the card, close your eyes, & repeat the line. |
13 cards in set
A Eucharist Litany written by Melissa based on CCC 1374-1381 A prayerful way to contemplate the mysteries of the Eucharist. |
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Parental Co-Prayer with Child
Parental Co-Prayer with your child provides interaction with your child within the quiet of a "regular" Adoration time. This is a wonderful way to help younger children learn to spend time before their Divine Friend.
When younger, my son liked to sit on my lap and when older tucked under my arm next to me. This allowed him to feel security and my love while experiencing Jesus' love - a beautiful combination!
Using a parent’s two closed fists placed in front of the child, a child can pray 1 decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The child can point to a parent’s closed finger each time he say inside his head/heart, “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” The parent would then raise that finger up. (This might require some practice before entering the chapel.) This can also be done with the Rosary. My son and I used this prayer style often when he was 3 and 4 years old. Often our visits where less then ten minutes especially in the beginning.
See the Prayer Webs below as an additional Parental Co-Prayer with Your Child.
When younger, my son liked to sit on my lap and when older tucked under my arm next to me. This allowed him to feel security and my love while experiencing Jesus' love - a beautiful combination!
Using a parent’s two closed fists placed in front of the child, a child can pray 1 decade of the Divine Mercy Chaplet. The child can point to a parent’s closed finger each time he say inside his head/heart, “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.” The parent would then raise that finger up. (This might require some practice before entering the chapel.) This can also be done with the Rosary. My son and I used this prayer style often when he was 3 and 4 years old. Often our visits where less then ten minutes especially in the beginning.
See the Prayer Webs below as an additional Parental Co-Prayer with Your Child.
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Prayer Webs
Prayer Webs can be used as a parental co-prayer with a child in Adoration or a child can use the prayer style on their own.
If used as a parental co-prayer, take turn with your child in different color pens writing/drawing a thanks or a petition in the format below.
From my experience, ballpoint pens are quieter then markers.
You can create your own prayer web on the spot with your child. An option: use a sketch book to accumulate you and your child's prayers. Or use the links below for a pre-designed prayer web.
If used as a parental co-prayer, take turn with your child in different color pens writing/drawing a thanks or a petition in the format below.
From my experience, ballpoint pens are quieter then markers.
You can create your own prayer web on the spot with your child. An option: use a sketch book to accumulate you and your child's prayers. Or use the links below for a pre-designed prayer web.
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"Jesus, thank you" Prayer Web
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"Jesus, please help" Prayer Web
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Coloring/Manipulative Adoration Prayer Sheets
These Color/Manipulative Adoration Sheets provide a tangible method of prayer for children. They offer a concrete, age appropriate way to draw children into an extended time of prayer with Jesus. These sheets can increase children's focus on our Eucharistic Lord while in Adoration and teach them a rhythm of prayer.
Children acknowledge Jesus' True Presence while praising, loving, and thanking Him with their hands, eyes, hearts, and minds.
You will find two versions of each sheet. Version 1 is a coloring sheet that can be printed and Version 2 can be laminated and used with manipulatives (bingo chips, buttons, pennies, etc..).
Before entering a chapel with Eucharistic Adoration, teach your children how to use the sheets. Children should color one circle (or place a manipulative on one circle) around the image of Jesus. Then the children should pause, look at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and pray in their heart the simple heart felt prayer from the circle such as, "Jesus, I love You." This pattern is repeated over and over. Children too young to read can be taught the simple prayer prior to entering the chapel.
Children acknowledge Jesus' True Presence while praising, loving, and thanking Him with their hands, eyes, hearts, and minds.
You will find two versions of each sheet. Version 1 is a coloring sheet that can be printed and Version 2 can be laminated and used with manipulatives (bingo chips, buttons, pennies, etc..).
Before entering a chapel with Eucharistic Adoration, teach your children how to use the sheets. Children should color one circle (or place a manipulative on one circle) around the image of Jesus. Then the children should pause, look at Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and pray in their heart the simple heart felt prayer from the circle such as, "Jesus, I love You." This pattern is repeated over and over. Children too young to read can be taught the simple prayer prior to entering the chapel.
"Jesus, I love You"
color sheet 
"Jesus, I love You" manipulative sheet
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"Jesus, You save me"
color sheet 
"Jesus, You save me" manipulative sheet
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"Jesus, I Adore You"
color sheet 
"Jesus, I Adore You" manipulative sheet
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