Light of the World: Name Circuit Prayers

I came across something on Pinterest the other day that amazed my non-scientific brain...

You can draw an electrical circuit with graphite pencils!!  No need for wires or anything.  This, of course, got me thinking on prayer activity lines :-)

Here is how to help children pray that they can be the light of the world, bringing hope to dark places- in a very individual way!

“You are like light for the whole world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid... your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 14, 16

You will need: paper, Graphite pencils (they MUST be graphite or this won't work- I tried! You can get them from art shops/ drawing supplies.  I got these ones), a 9V battery, a 3mm or 5mm LED bulb (see this Amazon link), sellotape.

Draw a simple circuit first to test the idea out.  Imagine that you are drawing two wires instead of using physical ones. First draw a line with your pencil and then fill in a much thicker line.  

Leave about 1cm between the ends of each 'wire' you have drawn (see above).

Bend the ends of the LED bulb to make little 'feet' and sellotape them to one end of each 'wire' (see above).

Place the + and - parts of the 9V battery on the ends of the lines you have drawn at the other side of the circuit.  Your bulb will light up!  If it does't light, turn the battery so that the + and - ends of the battery touch the end of the other wire to the way you tried first.  For some reason (I am not scientific so someone can explain it to me!) this seems to work.

Now get adventurous and write a joined up version of your name and repeat the process!

Invite children to draw a joined up version of their name and use it to make a circuit and light a bulb as shown above.  As their bulb lights, ask them to pray that they will help to light up the world!

Have fun :-)