Scripture Prayer Beads

When I went on the Walk to Emmaus years ago, one of the pieces of agape love I received was prayer beads. Similar in look and function to Rosary beads, this piece was to encourage prayer and confession. I thought it was beautiful ... then immediately took it apart. I wanted to take this concept and make something different.

It has been my heart's desire for a long time that people know the Bible and understand the Word. I believe it holds within its pages the secret to life ... both earthy and eternally. Commonly referred to as God's Love Letter, this book tells the story of His passion for His creaction, His unconditional love for us ... a love so deep, that seeing our sorrowful state, He knew the only solution was to die in our place. I am overwhelmed by that love. And who wouldn't want everyone to know about that? So how to learn? After being introduced to the Lord through the love of another, get a Bible and dig in. Whatever it takes to learn about our Father ... reading the Word every single day, over and over again, memorization, recitation. Learning it and living it.

I am always looking for new ways to teach Bible learning. So my new creation from these stripped beads would be an aid in teaching and praying the Word. I decided to create Scripture Prayer Beads. My first attempt at it is above. Incorporating verses that honestly should be memorized, each bead represents a piece or concept of Scripture. Holding this in your hands, it will remind you of the road to salvation, the Beatitudes, Ten Commandments, spiritual armor, the Gospels, promises and what God requires of us, among others. I started making them as gifts for friends and family over the years as going-away, confirmation and baptism gifts. Over the years it's been tweaked a bit. I have it down to a science now so that typically directly across from the empty cross is the butterfly which represents us as a new creation in Him.

Recently I gave six of these as gifts to the precious women who hosted a bridal shower for my daughter, Ayla, Each of these women means so much to me, so I tailored each SPB to their likes. One, a geologist, has beads that are mostly stone. One, who loves brown and is named Krystal, had more brown and crystal beads than the others. One, who loves the beach as much as I do, had seashells, seablue beads and dangling yellow butterfly in memory of her father. I wanted each lady to know theirs was special and theirs alone. I've made manly ones of darker stone beads for guys and ones all in white for baptisms. It's a fun hobby all the while making sure people know what is in the Bible.

And I want you to know also. You want me to make you one, let me know. I will get right on it. You want to learn how to make one yourself and could use some tips, again, let me know and I'll clue you in. My friend Debbie, has already started making some for her family and friends as gifts.

Below is the script that goes with the beads. So have it.

Learn the Word. It will truly save your life in every way possible. And if a handful of strung beads helps you in that ... praise His name!

Scripture Prayer Beads

Two Large Beads: The two greatest commandments: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.” Deut. 6:5; and “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Lev. 19:18

Six Gold Beads: Salvation texts including the Roman Road. If you plan to evangelize to someone about salvation in Jesus Christ, these Scriptures are the backbone.

1) Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

2) Romans 6:23: “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

3) John 14:6: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except by me.”

4) Romans 5:8: “But God proves His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us.”

5) John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.”

6) Romans 10:9: “If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Large Round Separation Beads: Nine total, one for each of the Beatitudes in Matt. 5:1-12

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

9 Coral Beads: Fruits of the Spirit as found in Gal. 5:22

          Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, generosity and self-control.

10 Gray Stone Beads: The Ten Commandments as found in Ex. 20:1-17

1) You shall have no other God’s before me.

2) You shall not make any idols or images of God.

3) Do not use the Lord’s name in vain.

4) Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.

5) Honor your father and mother.

6) Do not kill.

7) Do not commit adultery.

8) Do not steal.

9) Do not lie.

10) Do not covet.

Four Seablue Beads: Four things Scripture is good for according to 2 Tim 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-inspired and is useful for teaching, reproof, correction and training in righteousness, so that man may be equipped for every good work.”

Two Gold Crystal Beads with Butterfly between: The two beads are for the Old Testament promise and the New Testament promise. The butterfly is for 2 Cor. 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come.”

O.T. promise: Gen. 12:2-3 “I will make you a great nation. I will bless you. I will make your name great and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you and I will curse those who curse you. And all people on earth will be blessed through you.

N.T. promise: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

Three Pink Beads: For the Love Chapter in 1 Cor. 13, specifically verse 13: “Faith, hope and love, abide these three, but the greatest of these is love.”

Four Blue Beads: for the four Gospels and key verses in each:

Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the end of time.”

Mark 9:23: “If I am able?!  Everything is possible for the one who believes.”

Luke 9:23: “If anyone should become my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.”

John 1:1-14 “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God … The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We have seen His glory and glory of the One and Only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Three Purple Beads: For the three things the Lord requires of you according to Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy and walk humbly with your God.” 

Six Silver Beads: For the six pieces of armor we need to put on daily as described in Eph. 6:10-17: Belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, Good News evangelism shoes to spread the Gospel of Peace, shield of faith to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one, helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

Six Green Beads: For the six verses of Psalm 23

1. The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want.

2. He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3. He restores me soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.

4. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

5. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil. My cup overflows.

6. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

The Empty Cross is for the resurrected Christ who makes it possible for us to live with our Father forever.