Week of May 3-9
Theme: Jesus teaches us how to pray
Read:
One day, Jesus taught people how to pray. He said, “When you pray, don’t pray like those Extra-Super-Holy People. They think if they say lots of words, God will hear them. But it’s not because you’re so clever, or good, or so important, that God will listen to you. God listens to you because he loves you.”
“Did you know that God is always listening to you? Did you know that God can hear the quietest whisper deep inside your heart, even before you’ve started to say it? Because God knows exactly what you need even before you ask him,” Jesus told them.
“You see, God just can’t wait to give you all that you need. So you don’t need to use long words or special words. You don’t have to use a special voice. You just have to talk.”
“So when you pray, pray in your normal voice, just like when you’re talking to someone you love very much. Like this…”
Hello Daddy!
We want to know you.
And be close to you.
Please show us how.
Make everything in the world right again.
And in our hearts too.
Do what is best—just like you do in heaven,
And please do it down here too.
Please give us everything we need today.
Forgive us for doing wrong, for hurting you.
Forgive us just as we forgive other people when they hurt us.
Rescue us! We need you.
We don’t want to keep running away
and hiding from you.
Keep us safe from our enemies.
You’re strong, God.
You can do whatever you want.
You are in charge.
Now and forever and for always!
We think you’re great!
Amen!
Yes we do!
You see, Jesus was showing people that God would always love them—with a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.
So they didn’t need to hide anymore, or be afraid, or ashamed. They could stop running away from God. And they could run to him instead.
As a little child runs into her daddy’s arms.
Discussion
Tell about a time when you were really little and you ran to your daddy for help.
Family Project
Pray together: God, thank you for loving us with a never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love. Amen.
