Our Focus Today Helping children discover that God always hears our prayers and invites us to pray about both the desires of our hearts and the desires of His.
Key Truth God always hears our prayers.
Bible Passage Philippians 4:6–7
Memory Verse “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6 (NIV)
At A Glance
Approximate Lesson Time: 45–60 minutes Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity • 10–15 minutes Gather Around God’s Word • 10–15 minutes Read the Story • 10–15 minutes Truth in Action • 5–10 minutes Open Your Bible • 10–15 minutes Closing Prayer & Clean-Up • 2–3 minutes
Leader Encouragement
Prayer isn’t about saying all the right words. It’s about talking with a God who loves us and is always listening. Today, children will discover that God hears every prayer, whether it’s carefully planned or whispered in the middle of a difficult moment. As you teach, remind them that prayer is a relationship, not a performance.
The story God is writing in a child’s heart is always bigger than the lesson on the page.
Leader Preparation
Lesson Supplies Study books Pens Highlighters Stained Glass Prayer Kits Contact paper Scissors
Teaching Supplies Bible Two paper plates Skittles Pitcher of warm water Completed stained glass prayer craft Group poster
Prep Ahead Highlight today’s Bible passage in your Bible. Practice today’s Truth in Action. Prepare the stained glass prayer craft supplies. Cut the contact paper for each child. A completed sample lesson activity.
Volunteer Roles
Lead Teacher Welcome the group and guide each part of the lesson. Read the Bible passage and story aloud. Lead the Truth in Action, discussion, and closing prayer.
Small Group Leaders Welcome children and encourage conversation. Support children throughout the lesson. Answer questions, encourage participation, and offer extra help as needed.
Floater Welcome families and direct children to their groups. Help with transitions and assist wherever needed throughout the lesson.
Leading the Lesson
Welcome, Snack & Lesson Activity
Time: 10–15 minutes Welcome children, help them get settled, and enjoy the time together as they complete today’s lesson activity.
Instructions Welcome children as they arrive. Invite them to begin today’s lesson activity. Encourage conversation while everyone enjoys a snack. As children finish, encourage them to continue chatting with their group until it’s time to begin.
Conversation Starters Did anyone have an answered prayer since our last lesson? Have you added any new prayers to your Heart Box? What’s something you’ve been talking to God about lately?
Gather Around God’s Word
Time: 10–15 minutes
Transition Give children a two-minute warning before beginning. Invite everyone to simply set aside today’s lesson activity and grab only their study book, Bible, and pen. There is no need to clean everything up. Children can return to the activity later if time allows or take home any remaining supplies to finish.
Opening Prayer Begin with a simple prayer, inviting God to prepare hearts and minds to learn from His Word.
Bible Reading
Read Philippians 4:6–7 directly from your Bible.
Connect today’s Bible passage to the story by explaining that God invites us to bring every prayer to Him. He loves hearing from His children and promises to listen whether our prayers are carefully planned or spoken in the middle of a normal day.
Read the Story
Today’s Stair-Step Reading
Lesson 2 Re-read Lesson 1, then continue directly into Lesson 2.
Read the story aloud while children follow along.
Engage Children By… -Announcing page turns for younger readers. -Reading speech bubbles together. -Asking observation questions. -Pointing out humorous moments. -Inviting predictions as the story unfolds.
Truth In Action
Time: 5–10 minutes
Supplies Two paper plates Skittles Pitcher of warm water
Let’s Begin Hold up the two empty plates.
“Today we’re going to discover something wonderful about prayer. Sometimes our prayers are quiet and organized. Maybe we’re kneeling beside our bed or sitting quietly with our Bible.”
Begin placing Skittles neatly around the edge of the first plate. “Let’s pretend these are those kinds of prayers.”
Invite the children to call out different things they pray about as you place each Skittle on the plate. *Examples may include: family, friends, pets, someone who is sick, thanking God, school, something they’re worried about
Hold up the second plate.
“But sometimes prayer doesn’t look like that at all.”
Scatter Skittles randomly across the second plate.
“Sometimes we need to pray right in the middle of a moment.Maybe before a test, before a game, or when someone hurts our feelings. Those prayers can feel a little messy and rushed, BUT they’re still prayers.”
Point to the center of each plate.
“Let’s imagine the center of each plate is God.”
Slowly pour warm water into the center of both plates, using just enough water to cover the Skittles. Allow everyone to watch.
What do you notice? Allow children to respond.
“Where are all the colors moving?” Allow responses.
“They’re all moving toward the center. It didn’t matter whether the Skittles started in a neat, orderly circle or were scattered all over the plate. They all moved toward the same place. Our prayers are a lot like that. Some are carefully and thoughtfully planned and spoken and some are whispered in the middle of a moment. Some are thankful, some are full of questions, and some are simply, ‘God, please help!’ No matter what our prayers sound like, God lovingly hears every single one.”
Ask When might you pray a quick prayer during your day? Do you think God only hears prayers that only sound perfect? Why or why not? How does it make you feel knowing God is always listening?
Wrap Up “Prayer isn’t about having the perfect words. It’s about talking with a God who is always listening. Whether our prayers are carefully planned or whispered in a single moment, God lovingly hears every one.”
Open Your Bible
Time: 10–15 minutes
Activity 1 Complete Activity 1.
Invite children to look up today’s Bible passages, highlight them in their Bibles, and read them aloud. Depending on the age of your group, children may work independently, with a partner, or in small groups. If looking up all of the passages feels overwhelming, read one or two of the verses aloud together before inviting children to find the remaining verse(s) on their own.
After each verse, encourage children to fill in the missing word and discover one of the things God wants us to pray about.
Bible Verses 1 Corinthians 14:1 James 1:5 Romans 10:1 2 Peter 3:12–13
Ask Which of God’s desires surprised you today? Why do you think God wants us to pray about these things? What does this teach us about the kinds of prayers God loves to hear?
Activity 2 Complete Activity 2.
Begin by filling in the first blank together (PRAY).
In the four pink hearts, use what you learned from the Activity 1 Bible verses to identify the four big ideas God invites us to pray about: Wisdom Salvation of Others Spiritual Gifts The Lord’s Return
Briefly discuss each one together: Wisdom – Ask God to help us know what is right and give us the courage to do it. Salvation of Others – Pray that more people will come to know and trust Jesus. Spiritual Gifts – Ask God to help us discover and use the gifts He has given us to serve Him and others. The Lord’s Return – Thank God for His promises and look forward to the day Jesus returns to make all things new.
Then, invite children to fill the purple hearts with additional wishes and desires of their own hearts. Ask for volunteers to share and add a few of their responses to your group poster.
Complete the final blank together (PRAYER) and have a volunteer read the completed sentence aloud.
Ask What are some things God wants us to care about? How can prayer help our hearts become more like God’s heart? What’s one thing you’d like to pray about this week?
Closing Prayer
Pray the prayer at the end of Lesson 2.
Clean-Up
Invite children to: -Organize their supplies. -Throw away trash. -Help tidy their small group area. -Continue working on today’s lesson activity if time remains or take home any remaining supplies to finish later.
Three things necessary for a successful crusade. The first is prayer, the second is prayer, and the third is prayer. -Billy Graham
