A few weeks ago, we made Praying Arm Pretzels, which is part of how we get the kids thinking about Lent. This is always an incredibly popular Chapel Time activity for both the kids and the adults. 

Making these pretzels is easy-peasy, and there's always a lot of interest in the recipe following the activity, so here you go: 

Pretzels: A Reminder to Pray During Lent - (This is what I read to the kids before we get started) Early Christians often stood or kneeled with arms crossed over their chests while praying. The monks, to remind the children to pray during Lent, twisted bread dough to resemble praying arms. This bread was called "little arms" brachellae, later brezel, and then pretzel. 

They can be formed easily from frozen bread dough. 

Recipe with frozen bread dough: 

Ingredients

• 2-3 loaves of frozen bread dough
• Egg yolk, tablespoon of water
• Coarse salt

Instructions: 

1. Thaw a loaf (I thaw all three) of frozen bread dough. Let the dough rise according to directions on the package. Let the dough rise according to the directions on the package. 
   
2. Divide the dough in half and place on a floured board/counter. 
3. Cut each half into about eight pieces. 
4. Between your hands roll each strip into about an eighteen inch rope. 
5. Shape into pretzels and place them on a greased cookie sheet. 
6. Brush the tops of the pretzels with beaten yolk mixed with one tablespoon of water.
7. Sprinkle with coarse salt.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes. 

Prayer: 
Gracious God, we ask you to bless these pretzels which we are about to eat. Each time we eat pretzels this season may we be reminded that Lent is a time for prayer. Help us to remember to pray each day. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 

Obviously you can make these pretzels any time of year; no matter when you make them, it's a great activity for the whole family!