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Prayer hands story craft
Jonah Prayer Hands Craft
A printable prayer-hands folding story craft based on Jonah and the Big Fish. Children colour and cut the praying hands and inner story strip, then open the hands to follow the events. Story focus: God tells Jonah to preach, but Jonah runs away. Jonah is thrown into the sea. A big fish swallows Jonah; he prays inside.
- Suggested ages
- 6–10 years
- Activity time
- 20–35 min
- Difficulty
- Easy–moderate
English
Age, time and difficulty are planning guides. Check the preparation notes for adult help.
$3.15 USD
One-time purchase
Digital download · No physical item shipped
What’s included
- Praying-hands design with an inner folding story strip
- A4 Size
- Prayer-Hands Folding Story Strip Layout
- PDF digital download
- Scenes stated in the listing: God tells Jonah to preach, but Jonah runs away; A big storm shakes the ship he’s on; Jonah is thrown into the sea; A big fish swallows Jonah; he prays inside
Your download files
- JonahandtheBigFish.pdf: 3 pages
File inventory and page counts checked against the originals. Page counts include any instruction pages. Please check the preparation notes before printing for a group.
Getting ready
Age & adult help
The hand outlines, inner story strip and folds require more coordination than a flat colouring sheet.
Help with cutting around fingers, folding the inner strip and attaching pieces. Younger children can colour before an adult assembles the craft.
What you’ll need
Printer, paper, colouring pencils or crayons, scissors. Glue or tape may be useful for attaching the story strip.
Time & preparation
One prayer-hands story, including colouring and folding. Teaching time is additional.
Age is an editorial estimate for the motor and reading demands of this format. Difficulty, completion time and suggested tools are planning estimates, not build-tested.
Check the file before you print for a group, and allow for any extra help the kids might need.
Printing tipsThe story behind the craft
Bible passage: Jonah 1–3
Jonah sails away instead of going to Nineveh. After a storm, he is swallowed by a great fish and prays; when he is released, he goes to Nineveh, where the people respond to God’s warning.
Main takeaway: Jonah is given another opportunity to listen and respond.
As you open the hands
Open the hands to reveal the story, reading and discussing it before adding a prayer response.
Follow the journey from ship to sea, fish and city. Leave room to discuss the people of Nineveh, rather than ending the lesson with the fish.
An adult can guide a short retelling for younger learners. Older learners can suggest a prayer linked to the account while respecting what another person chooses to keep private.
Questions to explore
- Where was Jonah meant to go?
- What did he do inside the fish?
- What changed when he finally went to Nineveh?
Common questions
What files are included in this download?
The download is a 3-page PDF: JonahandtheBigFish.pdf. This is the English edition. You print the files yourself; physical supplies are not included.
What is inside the praying hands?
The hands form the outside covers of a folding story strip. Colour and cut the hands and story pictures, fold the strip in the indicated direction, then glue the left hand to the left end and the right hand to the right end. Open the hands to reveal the story. The pictured scenes include: God tells Jonah to preach, but Jonah runs away; A big storm shakes the ship he’s on; Jonah is thrown into the sea; A big fish swallows Jonah; he prays inside.
Which pages should I print, and at what size?
The original PDF pages are A4 landscape. JonahandtheBigFish.pdf: print pages 1, 3 for each learner or group. Page 2 is the assembly guide, which can be shared. Print single-sided. On US Letter paper, select Letter and Fit or shrink to the printable area; the originals are not separate Letter-sized files.
What supplies and preparation does this need?
Paper, colouring pencils, scissors and glue. Help cut around the fingers, make the strip folds and attach the correct hand to each end.
What help might children need with this activity?
Suggested ages: 6–10 years. Help with cutting around fingers, folding the inner strip and attaching pieces. Younger children can colour before an adult assembles the craft. Adjust this guide for the child’s reading and making skills.
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