National Day of Prayer for Kids
National Day of Prayer for Kids
SCRIPTURE: (Matt 16:24) “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
BIG IDEA: Giving up something will help us better focus on God, and the matter in which we are praying about. Somehow, it helps give us to be more serious praying about the matter as we are praying. It is not always easy to deny ourselves something we really like.
MATERIALS: Make Five Finger Prayer Bookmark for Kids (using words below), and a Pack of M & Ms, Cardstock sheet for each child
President, Congress& Senate, World Missions, Fire & Police Workers, Church/School/Family
BIBLE MEMORY
(Matt 16:24) “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (Write the verse on the board. Write the bold words in a different color marker.
If anyone would come after me….. we are talking about God here. He must deny himself. Deny means to decline or turn down something. It could also mean to give up something we really love to eat like chocolate or pop to prayer harder. We must give up our own way and do what God wants us to do…..and take up our cross and follow me. There will be many things that will annoy us and that we do not want to resist. However, when we serve God, we need to ask him to help us when we get angry, and irritable with others. We must take up our cross and follow God.
MESSAGE
Five Finger Prayer
National Day of Prayer is every year on the first Thursday of May. Billy Graham, an evangelist on TV, was the first to introduce the idea of an annual Day of Prayer. Then later, congress made it official with the signing of a bill for all Americans to have the opportunity of participating in this discipline.
It is a time when we exercise the disciplines of prayer and fasting. What is fasting? I know……giving up chocolate. Oh…I LOVE chocolate! That would be hard to do. Do you think that is what fasting it all about? Fasting is going without food. However, we know that some people cannot go without eating due to physical reasons. However, it can also be abstaining from certain type of food for a religious reason. You want to make sure your parents know and approve how and when you fast.
What is something that you really love to eat that you could go without for one day? Would it be pop? Desserts? Candy? Mmmm…these M&Ms look so good. Yesterday, someone gave me this pack because they know it is my favorite. But what am I going to do? Today is the Day of Prayer and Fasting and I really want to eat these M&Ms. What should I do? (Smell them). Oh, they smell just like chocolate. Maybe, if I just open them, I will not be tempted any longer. (Tear a small corner open). See…..they are all still here. I’ll take a peek inside. Oh…I see a red one. You know red is my favorite color. Why don’t I just eat a red one….just one. No, (Put M&Ms behind you) I won’t because I am fasting for Day of Prayer. But it looks so good. (Bring bag back) No, I won’t. (Put back behind you) Yes I will. NO, I won’t. (Hide) Here take this bag of M&Ms away so I am not tempted (Give to a child).
Now, I know this sound silly, but fasting is not easy. It is not easy to give up something that you enjoy so well. Why fast? Fasting helps us to focus on what prayer. It helps us to focus on praying for God’s will to take place. It gives us a desire to pray harder. Every time I think of those M&Ms, I will remember why I am not eating them; I am fasting. When I think of that, I will be reminded to pray for God’s will to take place in whatever I am praying about. And I will probably prayer harder!
During Nationals Day of Prayer we will pray the Five Finger Prayer while using our five fingers to help us.
President
Hold up your hand. How many fingers do you have? That is what I thought. Each finger will represent a certain thing to pray for and make it easier for use to remember when we pray. This pinky is for the Present of the United Sates. He has a very important job and must make many important decisions about our country. We need to pray that God will guide him to make wise decisions that will bring about the greater good for our country. We need to pray for his family as well.
Senate and Congress
The next finger (the 4th finger) is for our Senate and Congress. It is important that we vote for men and women who believe in upholding good value for our homes in America. It is important that they are voting for laws that will help our people get jobs, keep our marriages sacred, help those who need help, help babies to be taken care of, allow us to have freedom in worship in schools and public places, keep our Christina radio stations open on the air.
Home and World Missions
The middle finger is for mission. We have missionaries at home, and we also have missionaries all round the world. They need our prayers for safety of health and protection. They need prayers to be a witness to those whom they are sharing the Gospel. We need to prayer for those in our own communities and allow God to use us to share his love with them that will find peace of heart.
Police and Fire Workers
The index finger is for our police and fire workers who risk their lives every day for our safety. When someone breaks in your house and steals your things, you call the police and he will come out to check things. They may take fingerprints or footprints to find the robber.
One evening, I was at home all by myself while my husband was away working. I did not expect him home. All of the sudden, I heard the door, and it was scary to me. I picked up the telephone and called 911. They answered about the time I realize it was my husband, so I hung up. They called me right back and asked if I needed help. I told them I was ok. They continue to question me to make sure no one was in my house, I think. Then, they came out to my house to check. I was embarrassed at my mistake, but remember, I did not know who it was. It is wonderful to have police who respond to your calls and take good care of you.
Sometimes, you may see a fire truck go by and become curious of what has happened. The fire people are good to put our fires. When I was a little girl, my mom promised me we would follow a fire trunk to see where it went and what happened. I guess she forgot, because we never did. Fire and police officers are so important for our safety, and we must pray for their protection as well.
Church, School and Family
Our thumb is kind of small, isn’t it. However it is a very important part of our “Day of Prayer”. We need God’s help in our churches, schools, and homes. If we have homes that put God first, we will be able to go out into a world and live and share Christ. He will help us to get along with one another. If we have prayers and bible studies in our school, God will bless our efforts. We need prayers for our teachers who work with kids every day that God will give them strength and help them to do a good job. We need GOD to help us in our homes to spend time with one another and with God as a family. We need prayer for our family as they attend church together and worship God.
Let’s review our five fingers for the Day of Prayer:
1. President (Pinky)
2. Congress& Senate (4th finger)
3. World Missions (middle finger)
4. Fire & Police Workers (index finger)
5. Church/School/Family (thumb)
Lead kids in prayer.
ART PROJECT
Have the kids trace and cut out their hand using cardstock and write the five things for Day of Prayer on each finger.
MUSIC: We are a Family & I’m a Missionary Helper
We Are a Family
Tune: Mary Had A Little Lamb
We are a family who loves each other,
loves each other, loves each other
We are a family who loves each other,
this pleases God
We are a family who pray together,
pray together, pray together
We are a family who pray together,
this pleases God
We are a family who loves to share,
loves to share, loves to share
We are a family who loves to share,
this pleases God
We are a family who goes to church,
who goes to church who goes to church
We are a family who goes to church,
this pleases God.
I’m a Missionary Worker
Tune to Song: I’ve Been Working on the Railroad
1. I’m a missionary helper
All the live long day,
I’m a missionary helper
To lead the way to God
So I’ll live it and I’ll give it
To help the poor today
For I’m a missionary helper
All the live long day.
2. I’m a missionary helper
All the live ling day,
I’m a missionary helper
To lead the way to God
So I’ll walk it and I’ll talk it
And share the Gospel News
For I’m a missionary helper
All the live long day.
3. I’m a missionary helper
All the live ling day,
I’m a missionary helper
To lead the way to God
And I know it, so I’ll show it
And be a light today
For I’m a missionary helper
All the live long day.
© Kidzministry.net Jeanne McIntosh March, 2010. All rights reserved.
Tune: Whisper a Prayer
Whisper a prayer this morning
Whisper a prayer the whole day long
Whisper a prayer round the flag pole
To help or school grow so strong.
© Kidzministry.net Jeanne McIntosh. 2010 All rights reserved.
