Suited for kids of all ages!

Theme

Teach children a guideline for praying.

Lesson:

In the example the Jesus gives we find that this is a guide, not a pat prayer to be vainly repeated. Learning a good structure to out prayer will help us pray more effectively.

Luke 11:1  And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

When you are doing something you are not familiar with you will do one of 3 things:

1. Read an instruction manual (Bible)
2. Try to figure it out
3. Watch or ask others

So many people try to do the same thing about spiritual things. They simply try to figure it out or just follow the crowd RATHER than reading the instruction manual.

Prayer is just talking to God

So the question is: “How do I pray?” and God answers this question by FIRST telling you “How NOT to pray”

Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Thumb

Your thumb is the closest finger to you, therefore when you look at your thumb you can remember to pray for those who are closest to you such as Jesus (a friend that sticketh closer that a brother) your parents, siblings and friends.

Pointer finger

The next finger we see is our pointer finger. When we see this finger we can remember to pray for those who point us in the right direction such as our Pastor, Sunday School Teachers and Preachers.

Middle finger

The next finger we see is the middle finger. What is so special about the middle finger? It is the tallest of our fingers! With this finger we can remember to pray for those who are over us such as our government.

Ring finger

Next we see the ring finger. What makes this finger unique is that it is the weakest finger, try pushing your 2 ring fingers together. What happened? They bent because this finger is not strong enough to stand on its own. With this finger we pray for those who are feeling weak such as the sick and the elderly.

Pinkie

Now that we have looked at all the other fingers there is just one left. What do you think that this finger represents? That’s right it represents you. There are two special things about the pinkie: it is both the shortest finger and the farthest one away. When we put ourselves last on the prayer list it allows us to see things in a different light because once we have prayed for all these other people and problems our problems don’t seem so bad anymore.

Conclusion

So next time you fold your hands to pray and can’t think of anything to say remember your 5 finger prayer list. Remember the pattern of putting God and others first and being thankful.