Leader Guide

Prayer

Who can say the SuperTruth from memory? Nothing can separate me from God.

Sometimes when everything in our life is going smoothly, we may begin to drift away from God because we think we can handle things on our own. We may say, “I’ve got this!”

It is ironic that when things get tough because of trouble, or temptation, or persecution, or disappointment—that’s when we turn back to God! The Bible says that God is our very present help in time of trouble! (See Psalm 46:1 KJV.)  As followers of Christ, we are connected to God through prayer. It is our lifeline. If we turn to God, we will draw closer to Him and grow in our walk with Him.

In Paul’s letter that he wrote from prison to the Christians in Rome, he said in Romans 12:12 (CEV):

Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying.  

Who was listening closely—where was Paul when he wrote this letter? In prison.

Even in the darkest, filthiest prison, Paul knew he was still connected to God. He was convinced that he could never be separated from the love of Christ. And because of this, Paul was able to look beyond his suffering to encourage others to stand strong in the midst of their trials and troubles!

Paul did not say that their troubles would make them glad—he said hope could make them glad in the midst of troubles. He said to be patient, then he ended by saying, “Never stop praying!” That is our connection to God! Prayer is how we sense that Jesus is with us and that He loves us, no matter what.

So let’s follow Paul’s instructions today.     

First, please close your eyes and think about seeing Jesus one day. Imagine a world without persecution and pain, sickness and sorrow. He will wipe away every tear! There will also be no more death! That is the way it will be when Jesus returns to Earth and makes all things new again. (See  Revelation 21:4.) That is how our hope makes us glad—to know that our world will be what God originally created it to be, and that we will live forever with Him in heaven. Allow children time to pray.

Next, Paul tells us to be patient in times of trouble. With your eyes closed, if there is any kind of trouble or trial you are experiencing, share it with God and commit to trust Him and His timing as He works in your situation to accomplish His will. Allow children a moment to pray.

The third thing Paul told us to do is to never stop praying! God does not tire of us coming to His throne in time of need.

Optional: read Hebrews 4:16:

To close the prayer time, say each statement below and then pause for the children to repeat it.