Scripture: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:1, Isaiah, 40:3, Isaiah 50:6, Isaiah 53:9
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn that just as a roof protects homes against storms, Christians use prayer to talk to God and ask for help when the storms of life arise.
- Students will learn the importance of having their own prayer life.
- Students will learn the concept of praying to God about everything and without ceasing.
- Students will create items to help them develop a personal prayer life.
Guiding Question: Why is consistent prayer important in building a relationship with God?
Materials: Smooth medium sized rocks, washable paint, stickers, prayer journals
Procedure: Explain to the students that just like a building needs a strong roof to last through storms, our lives need something to help us when good and bad things happen in life. The way we can get help is from God and praying to Him. Ask the students to tell about their prayer life and what they pray for.
Explain the basic concepts of prayer:
- God wants about everything that is important to us – no matter how big or small.
- We can use prayer to ask God for help, thank him, praise him, ask him to forgive our sins, and ask him to help others.
- God wants to hear from us all the time. He wants us to pray whenever we have something we want to say to him.
- God always answers prayers. Sometimes his answer is “no” or “wait”, but those are answers just like “yes”.
Tell the students they will make something to help them remember to pray. Have the students take a medium sized rock and paint the word “pray” on them. They can add additional decorations if they would like. Send home a prayer journal with each student and explain purpose (students can decorate if time allows).
Additional Questions: How can students learn how to pray to God in different situations?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students work in partners to come up with “prayer starters” to guide them in praying to God.