Prayer Journal

What To Do With a Wish Lesson 5 Activity

As the story closes out, Lucy’s prayers start getting answered. She keeps a watchful eye and begins to take notice of how her prayers are being answered. The thing is, Lucy’s prayers are getting answered, but definitely not exactly how she “wished.” Turns out, that is becuase God’s plan for her is so much greater than she can imagine. Lucy’s trust in God grows as she rests in God’s promises and plan and she can begin to see all the goodness. Lucy’s prayers, and our prayers, are answered in three ways…yes, no, and not yet. This is the part that is so exciting, the waiting and watching. Like what is going to happen next? What does God have in store? I totally did not see that coming! And then you rejoice in some moments, are sad in some moments, maybe a little angry or confused in some moments, really a full gamut of emotions will happen here. The good news is, you are being drawn to God in those moments because those are the moments He planned for you and therefore, they are ultimately the best answers for you…even when they might not feel like it.

The prayer journal is a really simple way to track prayers and the “no, yes, not yet” answers to those prayers. It is an easy habit to help build with wide reaching impact for both the prayer journaler and the prayer receivers. This lesson fell right before summer break for us, so it was an ideal way to send the girls off with a prayer plan for summertime. The journal will be divided into our same “Hand Prayer” categories: Thank, Confess, Praise, Pray for Others, and Pray for Yourself. They will decorate and add stickers to really make it feel extra special to them. Then, the writing, watching, and waiting begins! They will write their prayers, then watch and wait to see how God answers them. They will begin to notice God working all around them and this part is key, building that awareness of God’s handiwork. As prayers are answered, thay can jot a note beside the prayer. Mark the date next to the prayers that are answered “yes,” leave the “not yet” prayers so they can keep praying, watching, and waiting for them, and write a little note by the “no” prayers about how the answer turned out differently…this is often where you can really see God’s finest work…it’s all in the details.

Links

Hardcover Blank Books

Scripture Stickers

Bible Verse Ballpoint Pens

Three children engaged in a creative activity on a blanket outdoors, with art supplies and prayer journals surrounding them.
A collection of colorful prayer journals and stickers on a table, with various markers and decorative elements.
A group of children and adults engaged in a creative activity outdoors, decorating prayer journals with stickers and colorful writing utensils.
A group of young girls sitting on a porch, engaged in a prayer journal activity. One girl is decorating a journal with colorful materials, while others observe thoughtfully.
A group of young girls sitting on a patio, engaged in an art activity where they are decorating prayer journals with stickers and markers, with one girl focused on writing, while another looks on.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6
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Lacing Cross

What To Do With a Wish Lesson 4 Activity

Lucy prays for her BIGGEST “wishes” and her smallest “wishes.” She prays on vacation, in the car, and on the sideline. Her prayers are about a mixture of things from Grandma Lucille getting better to hoping for a friend in her cabin at camp to wanting to have short, brown hair. And you know what?! God hears all of that! There is no insignificant prayer. God wants to hear everything that is on your heart. But what do you do after you pray? Answer: You wait…patiently. This part feels harder for us because we prefer answers right away, but that is not always how God wants it and His plan is better than ours…hard to hear, I know. The waiting, though, is where our faith and trust grow and that’s where the beauty begins. Lucy leans on some Bible verses while she waits and that is what we should do, too. While we are waiting, we can draw closer to God through more prayer, reading the Bible, memorizing scripture, and sharing about the good news of the cross with others.

Our cross lacing activity embodies this idea of intertwining our lives and our prayers with God’s wisdom and God’s plan for us. God wants us to be open and honest with Him and He promises to be open and honest with you. He is ready to build a relationship with you whenever you are and it all begins with a, “Dear God, _________,” and ends with an, “Amen.” Everything in between is part of the beauty of being in a relationship with Him and that includes the waiting. Psalm 130:5 says it well, “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”

Links

Lacing Cross Kit

Acrylic Paint Pens

Extra Cord

A colorful laced cross craft hanging on a door, featuring vibrant designs in yellow, green, pink, and blue. The cross is centered and outlined with decorative lacing.
A heart-shaped wooden craft kit with a cross cutout, lacing materials, and instructions, placed on a wooden table with a plant in the background.
A colorful, hand-crafted cross decoration featuring the words 'LOVE' and hearts, hanging from a door handle.
A group of children engaged in a craft activity on a blanket in a garden, surrounded by greenery and flowers. Some children are focused on their projects while others are interacting with each other.
A group of children and adults participating in a prayer and lacing activity outdoors, with a woman standing and reading from a book. They are seated on blankets with various craft materials around them.

Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:14
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Our Hands Help Us Pray

What To Do With a Wish Lesson 3 Activity

Lucy finally gets her hands on a book that has some answers….the Bible. The Bible is filled with God’s true words about prayer. In a very WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY way, the Bible explains WHO we should pray for, WHAT we can and should pray for, WHEN we can pray, WHERE we can pray, and WHY we should pray. No other book is needed! So, Lucy gives praying a whirl. At this point she doesn’t really have anything to lose because nothing else has worked. When she is finished praying, she knows something is different, she just can’t figure out what it is…until she remembers that God promises that He listens and His promises are true. This time, her “wishes” had been heard. She knew God was listening and her heart filled with hope!

There are so many things we can pray about and should pray about, so having the five finger prayer helps us quickly organize our thoughts. A lot of what we want to pray for involves our own “wishes” and desires of our heart and God wants to hear all of that, but the Bible also tells us there are other things we should be praying for. We should PRAISE God, CONFESS our sins to God, THANK God, pray for OTHERS, and finally, pray for YOURSELF. And don’t worry, you cannot overwhlem Him with too much prayer, He is ready and waiting to listen to you. Our activity is a GIANT prayer hand that reminds us that our hands can help us pray!

Praise Psalm 146:1-2 Thumb
Confess 1 John 1:9 Index Finger
Thank Ephesians 5:20 Middle Finger
Others 1 Timothy 2:1 Ring Finger
Yourself Matthew 7:7 Pinky

Links

Hand Download

Markers

Gem Stickers

Colorful paper hand displaying a prayer guide with words like 'Pray for God,' 'Your Sins,' and 'Closing,' surrounded by hearts and flowers.
A group of children engaged in a creative prayer activity, with some holding colorful hand drawings and others coloring on the ground.
A child's prayer hand craft with colorful decorations, labeled with 'Praise God', 'Confess your sins', 'Thank God', 'Pray for others', and 'Pray for you'. The artwork has hearts and sequins, held by a child wearing a green dress.
A group of children and an adult are sitting on the ground, engaging in a prayer hand activity. The children are smiling and showing their colorful artwork related to prayer, surrounded by crafting materials and papers.
A group of children sitting on a blanket outdoors, engaged in crafting activities related to a prayer project. One girl holds up a colorful paper hand with words on it, while others are smiling and participating in the fun.

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.

Jeremiah 29:12
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Stained Glass

What To Do With a Wish Lesson 2 Activity

Lucy has been busy researching how to make her wishes come true. She tries wishing on a shooting star, she tries making a wish when she blows out her birthday candles, but again and again she finds that these wishing ways are not working and she begins to get frustrated. But, who do we know that does hear all of our prayers AND promises that He is listening? God, does! Some of the most amazing traits about God is that He is omnipresent and omniscient. He can be EVERYWHERE all the time and know EVERYTHING all the time. Think about that for second…God is truly worthy of all our praise! We cannot fathom what He is capable of, we can only trust Him and be in awe of Him. What a comfort to know that at an given moment we can speak with our all-knowing and loving God in prayer.

Visuals create perfect reminders! Stained glass windows in churches are gorgeous and often evoke feelings of awe, peace, and reverance. We are taking that idea and creating our own eye-catching and awe-inspiring stained glass “prayer windows.” What better way than to make a beautiful decoration to remind us of God’s beautiful promises to us. Hang it in a window and let the Lord’s light shine through in all its glory!

Links

Contact Paper

Stained Glass Prayer Kits

Scissors

A group of children sitting on a colorful blanket outdoors, engaged in arts and crafts activities. They're surrounded by various craft supplies and smiling as they participate in a group project.
A colorful stained glass decoration with the word 'PRAY' hanging in a window, surrounded by green leaves.
A woman and two girls sitting on a blanket in a grassy area, engaged in creative activities, with various art supplies and a cat nearby.
A package containing materials for a stained glass project, including colorful plastic sheets and a grid layout guide, is placed on a wooden surface next to a decorative bowl.
A group of children and a woman sitting on a colorful blanket in a grassy area, engaged in an activity with books and art supplies spread out around them.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18
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Heart Box

What To Do With a Wish Lesson 1 Activity

We enter into this story with Lucy trying to figure out what to do with all the wishes she has. These “wishes” are the desires of her heart and, just like Lucy, we ALL have “wishes.” We all want things, hope for things, worry about things, and are confused about things, but what are we supposed to do with all of these things? Answer: Pray! We can tell God about the big things and the small things and the best part is, He wants to hear about ALL of your things. God’s plan is the best plan and He is wildly creative!

Sparkly things make everything more fun, so bedazzling a box is the plan for this activity. But, it’s not just any box, it is a “Heart Box.” The girls can let their creative juices flow as they beautify the outside of their box, but the truly beautiful part is on the inside. The girls will get little pieces of construction paper where they will write down what is on their hearts. Ultimately, they are wirting down their prayers. They will fold them up and place them inside their “Heart Box” to keep them safe. Send them home with a baggie full of blank papers that they can continue adding to their boxes. The real magic is in the follow-up! Have the girls bring their boxes back each meeting or have their parent text you when one of their prayers gets answerd. We don’t want to miss the oportunity to share how God is working in the details of all of their “wishes.”

Links

Wooden Boxes

Gem Stickers

Acrylic Paint Pens

A colorful, decorated wooden box labeled 'Heart Box' is open on a table, with several colorful pieces of construction paper scattered around it. The box is designed to hold prayers.
A group of girls engaged in a creative activity, writing and decorating their personal 'Heart Boxes' with colorful materials, surrounded by craft supplies.
A handcrafted wooden heart box decorated with colorful paint, stripes, and gem stickers, designed for storing heartfelt prayers.
Three girls sitting on a checkered blanket, engaged in a craft activity. One girl holds a pen while the others draw or write on papers in binders. Colorful decorations and snacks are scattered around them.
A group of young girls engaged in a creative activity, decorating wooden boxes with art supplies on a cozy floor setup.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:24
Logo of children's book author Abigail Davis featuring a blue background with a white open book icon and the text 'abigail davis children's book author' in stylish fonts.

Everything Takes Practice

Being Brave Lesson 5 Activity

Elle settles into the idea that God is always with her. It doesn’t matter if she is nervous about a playdate or walking out on stage, God provides all the armor she needs and he does the same for our girls. We want our girls to feel God’s presence always and a good way to do that is to practice making time for God, just like you would practice for a “SPORT”. This acronym is such a helpful reminder!

Share about Jesus
Pray anytime and all the time
Obey God’s Word
Read your Bible
Tell God thank you every day

This activity fell right before New Year’s, which always feels like a bit of a fresh start. I left the girls with the idea that they could make a little mark on their calendar whenever they “practice” one of the ways to spend time with God. Ultimately, we are just helping these girls build habits. We teach them to brush their teeth daily and practice the piano, so we should also be teaching them the ways they can “practice” growing closer to the God loves that loves them more than they can imagine.

Links

Hanging Wood Sign

Calendars

Acrylic Paint Pens

Craft materials for a lesson featuring colorful cards with habits for growing closer to God, including a blank wooden board, string, dark felt pieces, and mini calendars.
A young girl in a red dress with a green bow sits on a blue and white striped blanket, drawing on a piece of paper. She has a packet of Goldfish snacks beside her, and other children are playing in the background.
A decorative wall calendar for January 2025, featuring colorful swirls and hearts, with a list of activities labeled under the SPORT acronym: Share about Jesus, Pray anytime & all the time, Obey God's Word, Read your Bible, and Tell God thank you every day.
A colorful activity sheet with a pink watercolor background, outlining five ways to practice faith: 'Share about Jesus', 'Pray anytime & all the time', 'Obey God's Word', 'Read your Bible', and 'Tell God thank you every day'. Each item features a corresponding illustration, and a section at the bottom for writing letters to reveal a secret memory word.
Children engaged in a creative outdoor activity, smiling and holding up decorated crafts, with other kids and adults in the background.

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

1 Chronicles 16:11
Logo of children's book author Abigail Davis featuring a blue background with a white open book icon and the text 'abigail davis children's book author' in stylish fonts.

Armor of God Keychain

Being Brave Lesson 4 Activity

Elle walks into her first day of school, “still worried about a lot of things, but ready for anything.” Our girls take backpacks into school everyday, so why not adorn it with an armor of God reminder? When they are out “in the wild” the keychain will serve not only as a reminder to them about God’s promised protection, but also as a great conversation starter. Imagine them sitting on the bus or in the carpool line and having a peer ask them about their keychain – right then and there they can share Jesus’ promises with them!

I set out all the supplies on baking sheets and let the girls get creative. Some made bracelets, some made keychains, and there were even a few necklaces for those pattern loving ladies. It’s exciting to think that something so simple can equip them with just enough confidence to be able share about Jesus with someone else. They will be girls out in the world, but living lives not of the world!

Links

Armor of God Charms

Beads

String

A collection of colorful beads, bracelets, and silver keychain components displayed on a dark tabletop, with a ziplock bag of beads in the background.
Three young girls proudly display their handmade jewelry, including colorful bracelets and keychains, during a creative outdoor activity. They are smiling and wearing fun, casual outfits, surrounded by greenery and other children in the background.
A group of three girls and a woman sitting on the grass outdoors, engaging in a craft activity with colorful beads and supplies laid out on trays.
A group of girls engaged in a crafting activity outdoors, sitting on a quilt while making bracelets and keychains. One adult woman is leading the activity, and various crafting supplies are spread around them.
A group of children and adults sitting on the grass in a yard, engaged in a crafting activity. Some children are assembling bracelets and keychains, while an adult stands and holds materials. The setting is warm and sunny, with trees and a house in the background.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an anwer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.

1 Peter 3:15
Logo of children's book author Abigail Davis featuring a blue background with a white open book icon and the text 'abigail davis children's book author' in stylish fonts.

Armor of God Reminder

Being Brave Lesson 3 Activity

At this point in the story, Elle has just remembered the reminder that her parents have always told her, “Remember that being brave comes from the heart, from knowing Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Whenever life feels too big, you can pray on the armor of God. Love Mom & Dad.”

Elle creates a little reminder to stick to her bedroom mirror, so the activity is to have your group create their own reminders that they can place in a special spot to peek at as needed. Below is what we did, but this concept can take many different shapes, have fun with it!

Links

Boards

Foam Stickers

Gem Stickers

Group of children sitting on a blanket outdoors, engaging in arts and crafts activities, smiling and having fun.
A bedside table with a green lamp, a picture frame, a clock, and a decorative cross, surrounded by a floral-patterned bedspread.
A decorated reminder on a table showing steps on how to pray on the armor of God, including colorful flowers and stars as embellishments.
A colorful display featuring a guide on how to pray on the armor of God, with decorative stars on the top corners. Below, various sheets of colorful gems and stickers are arranged on a wooden table, adding a creative element to the activity.
A young girl with braided hair stands in front of a mirror, gazing out of a window in a brightly lit room. The mirror has a reminder about the armor of God displayed on it, and the room features a dresser with colorful items and a potted plant.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Ephesians 6:13
Logo of children's book author Abigail Davis featuring a blue background with a white open book icon and the text 'abigail davis children's book author' in stylish fonts.

Written On Your Heart

By Abigail Davis

coming soon

Heart check! As Proverbs 27:19 states, “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Water reflection is part of accepted world science, but heart reflection is what I am dubbing, “spiritual science.” As naturally as water reflects, we want our girls’ hearts to reflect the hope found in Jesus Christ. So how does that happen?

My mom once told me that people who look at counterfeit money don’t know all the ins and outs of the different kinds of counterfeit money, rather they know the real dollar bill like the back of their hand. That’s what we want for our girls. We want them to know the Bible so well that it is “written on their heart” and naturally flows and is reflected in their day-to-day lives. This means helping them become so familiar with God’s Word that they joyfully cling to the truths and boldly share it with others. In this “story & study,” the heart is at the forefront with a fresh look at letting your light shine. Showing girls what it is like to have Jesus alive in their life when they are out “in the wild” and how their words and actions will have a different kind of impact because of it.

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13:5-6

EXTRAordinary

By Abigail Davis

coming soon

The world tells our girls a lot of things. They are at an age where their minds are malleable and they are being inundated with facts, figures, direction, and suggestions. Children’s minds are often compared to sponges. If we flood them with information, just like a sponge, it can’t soak it all up. Whereas, if our stories reliably “drip” God’s truths, the message can slowly soak into every part of their lives.

At time a when girls’ self-confidence is much like a kite being tossed about with every change in wind direction, this “story & study” will continue dripping God’s promises and reminders of his unending love for them . What better way to push back against self-doubt, fluctuating culture, and the daily ups and downs in the life of a girl than with the “EXTRA” boost that comes from finding your identity in Christ. We want our girls to learn to see themselves as God sees them; it’s what will set them apart and keep them sure-footed as the world swirls around them. We want our girls to be out “in the wild” and to confidently stand on God’s unshakeable truths.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20