Prayer

What is prayer? How do we pray and why?

Who here likes to talk on the phone?

How many of y'all have a phone?

Who do you like to talk to? What are some of the things you like to talk about with your friends over the phone?

Does your parents get frustrated when they lose their phone?

So if its easy for us to talk to our friends and family over the phone, why is it so hard to talk to God?

examples - we cant hear him physically, see him, or maybe have a hard time wondering if he even hears us.

Today we will talk about how to pray, what it means, and why we should do it.

There is a steps to remember. Its called TALK 12345

Kind of like your dialing a phone number! So this is a good steps to follow so we can learn to pray and get closer to God so that we can hear him and know hes there.

T - Take the time. (put time aside to talk to God. Whether it be in the morning or when you brush your teeth)

A - Ahhhhhh..quiet. (*kids take deep breath) go to a spot thats quiet with no distractions. Its hard to pray to God when your video game is lying next to you. Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”

L - Learn from Gods word ( how many here have a Bible? Who here needs one? (pass them out). ( learn about God through the Bible. Thats one way that God speaks to us!! If you have trouble understanding, you can always ask me, the Pastor, or your parent)

K - Keep a prayer plan. ( who can tell me what that means? It means to set a time that youre going to go spend with God. And stick to it!)

Now, we are ready for the 5 parts of prayer. Everyone, fold your hands together, and listen closely. And repeat after me.

1 - Praise

2 - Confess

3 - Read

4 - Ask

5 - Thanks

Now, what is Praise?

What does confess mean? James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

What are we reading?

What are some things we ask God?

And what are some things to thank him for? Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

Matthew 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.””

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

And that, folks, is what prayer is, why we pray, how to pray, and when.

Any questions?

Before each lesson from now on, we are going to start with prayer. Today, we will end with it. I will do this one and then from here on out I may or may not ask you to pray in the morning.