Scripture: John 17:1-26
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn Jesus prayed (and for us) while he was here on earth.
- Students will learn Jesus prayed Christians would be united.
- Students will learn Jesus prayed that we would get to spend eternity with him in Heaven.
- Students will learn how to continually pray.
Guiding Question: How can students be reminded to pray regularly?
Materials: Wooden frame, variety of ribbon
Procedure: Review the scriptures about prayer. Explain how Jesus modeled prayer for us and demonstrated the importance of it in our relationship with God. Emphasize that Jesus prayed that Christians would be united – meaning all Christians would work together to serve Jesus and share him with others. Explain that when we try to do things with God, it is always good to have other Christians to support you and help you. With others helping, you can find more successes than you even imagined!
Introduce the activity. Have the students create a frame using small branches or use a large wooden picture frame. Attach vertical ribbons and have each student tell/ write a prayer request and then pray it as they weave a ribbon (use a wide variety of ribbon to emphasize how each of us is different, but beautiful together). After all students have woven their prayers, talk about praying together about things, send master prayer list home with students and encourage to continue to pray. Have students add new prayer ribbons each week until frame is full.
Additional Questions: How can students keep record of their prayers?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students create and begin to record in a prayer journal. Encourage students to record in the prayer journal each day and watch God be faithful to their prayers.