A supplement to “Connections,” a Web magazine for leaders in children’s ministry
April 2009 • No. 4
Children’s Ministry
D
uring our Lord’s earthly ministry, He welcomed little2He
3
become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom
of heaven.
this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’” (Matt.
18:1-4). Jesus loves to have children talk with Him and He
loves to talk with them through His Word, the Holy Scriptures.
For children, as well as for adults, talking with the Lord
in prayer is similar to talking with people we know.
And He said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like
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People who love us and care about us.
n
When praying, it is important for children as well as for
adults to know that we are talking with a Friend. Jesus says
to children what He said to His disciples in John 15:14-15:
“I call you my friends.” We sing the hymn “What a Friend
We Have in Jesus.” With children we sing songs that talk
about our Lord’s friendship with us and His loving care for
us:
People who have demonstrated that loving care for us.
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“Jesus Loves Me This I Know”
n
“Jesus Loves the Little Children”
n
“Jesus loves you with love tenderly; Jesus loves all no
matter how small; that’s why I love Jesus better than all.”)
For some of us, it is easier to say what’s on our mind
by writing it down. For some children, it may be helpful
for them to write out their prayers. Then, after writing their
prayer thoughts:
“Jesus Loves Children, Jesus Loves Me” (and it continues
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group by reading what they have written, or, if they are
reluctant to do so,
Ask each child to share the prayer with the rest of the
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the class/family as a part of the time of prayer.
Children learn to pray the same way that they learn
to talk:
Have the teacher/parent read the prayer for the rest of
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By listening to adults pray.
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When children are learning to speak, they don’t
speak in complete sentences and thought patterns. The
same is true in learning to pray. We don’t need to be
concerned about how we say it; just say it. This is true
for adults/parents/teachers just as it is for children. Our
children learn the importance of prayer by seeing us
pray at meal times, and at the beginning and the end of
day, and about things that are happening in our lives—
the small as well as the large things that are happening
each day.
For that reason, it is important for teachers/parents
to:
By imitating what adults say and do as we pray.
n
we are praying with children; use short sentences in
our prayers. State in a simple way our thoughts.
Refrain from speaking long, involved prayers when
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conversation with a friend—no 16th century vocabulary
such
as “Thee” and
“Thou” and
“giveth” and
“blesseth.”
Use the same kind of words that we would use in
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a simple manner,
such as “Jesus.”
That’s the way
we talk with
our friends and
our parents/
grandparents,
our aunts/uncles
whom we know
love us and care
about us.
Begin prayers in
Worshiping
with Children
Children and Prayer
in Classrooms and Homes
CM Connections • Worshiping with Children •
April 2009 • Page 2
With those individuals whom we know love and accept
us:
n
We pour out our hearts to them.
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We tell them what is going on in our lives.
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about using the correct words or sentence structures.
We say what we are thinking without being concerned
n
we say it, we rephrase it and say it again. We can do
that in prayer. It’s OK.
We just talk. If it doesn’t come out right the first time
Things To Do in the Classroom
and in the Home
Have the children finish the following prayers:
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say whatever comes to their mind as to why they love
Him.
“Jesus, You love me. I love You because . . .“ (Have them)
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they are thankful for.)
“Thank You, Jesus, for . . .” (Have them express whatever
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stating what they want the Lord to do for them or someone
else.)
“Jesus, I ask You to . . .“ (Have them complete this by
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things that they know they have done wrong. Then,
have them THANK Jesus for dying and rising from death
for the forgiveness of these specific sins and of all their
sins—even those not listed.
1. You might want to have them write the sins on paper.
After the sins are listed, have the children draw
a cross over the sins as they say, “God forgives all
my sins because Jesus died for me.”
2. Have them either run the paper through a shredder
or have them wad up the paper, and toss it in a
trash can never to be seen again.
3. When accomplished, have children and teacher/
parents join together in praying this simple prayer:
“Thank You, Jesus, that You have forgiven me for
this/these sins.” Praying this prayer impresses upon
them the reality of God’s undeserved love given to
them as their sins are forgiven.
4. “Jesus, help me to forgive others the way You
forgive me. I pray to forgive . . .”
name of the person or persons.)
“Jesus, please forgive me for . . .” (Have them list specific)(Mention here the
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“Jesus, my friend/relative (list the name of the person)
doesn’t know You yet. Please, work through me to
bring them to know You as their friend and Savior.”
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may be sad about that day)
the teacher/parent pray with and for the child about
whatever causes the sadness.
“Jesus, I am sad when (have the child add what he/she. Then, have the child and
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about . . .“
“Jesus, sometimes I worry about or am afraid(Have the child name the worry or fear.)
Then, have the child and parent/teacher pray about
the sadness or fears in a simple way, asking the Lord to
help the child trust in God’s love and care.
n
the children in the class each night or morning before
Sunday school, vacation Bible school, or the Christian
day school. Pray for:
1. Teachers as they show and tell Jesus’ love to children
throughout the day as they teach and care for
students.
2. Children as they learn and work with the teacher.
3. Children to show the love they have in Jesus
through respect for teachers, classmates, and family
members.
4. Children so Jesus and His
great love become very
real to them as they study
His Word so they come to
know Him as their Savior
and friend.
5. Children so they are, by the
power of the Holy Spirit,
able to put into practice
what they learn that day in
God’s Word.
Invite parents and children to pray for the teacher and
CM Connections • Worshiping with Children •
April 2009 • Page 3
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others as they lead worship. “Thank You, Jesus, for our
pastor _______ and for all of the others who help us
worship and learn about you. Please, work through
the worship leaders to help us come to know You, and
praise and honor the greatness of Your love.”
Have parents and children pray for the pastor and the
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names of people disliked and reason for such)
forgive and change my attitude.”
“Lord Jesus, I don’t like (mention here the name or. Help me to
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When you pray at the beginning or the end of the day
(classroom or home)
that they would like you to pray about for them.
Then, pray for those specific requests. Talk to them
about their prayer request sometime during the following
week and God’s response to that prayer.
As teachers and parents, it is important for us to show
the children how the Lord answers our prayers. Keep a list
of the things/people for which you have prayed. Then, as
we realize the Lord’s answer to those prayers, thank Him
for those answers. It’s also important to emphasize that the
our God answers all prayers in one or more ways:
, ask the children if they have anything
n
“Yes.” He grants the request.
n
A parent may say to a 10-year-old: “You can’t drive the
family vehicle until you reach a certain age and have
been trained. Then, you can drive because you will use
the vehicle responsibly and won’t hurt other people.”
So it is that God in His wisdom tells us to wait because
He foresees things we do not.
“Not yet; wait awhile; this isn’t the right time for that.”
n
from harm. God provides us with what we need and
not necessarily with what we want. He always desires
what is best for us. We can trust Him to do what’s best
because He sent His own Son, Jesus, to live, suffer, die
and rise from death so we can be in His family now and
in heaven forever.
“No.” God says “No” in order to protect us and others
Other Prayer Focal Points
n
neighborhood and have them pray for the people they
see, the people in the houses, for the creation that God
has made, etc. This may take some instruction before
the walk and some “extra help” to assist the children in
praying throughout the walk. This type of activity helps
the children incorporate prayer into their daily lives.
A prayer walk. Take the children on a walk around the
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listed in the bulletin or newsletter who may be ill or in
need.
Have the children say the prayers as much as possible.
Have a special time in class to pray for those that are
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to use them at home.
Make prayer journals in class and encourage the children
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Set aside a family time of prayer
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a person in the community, a congregation board
or committee, congregation leaders to pray for during
class time and at home. They can do this individually, in
pairs, triads, or as a group.
Have the children “adopt” a person in the congregation,
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song.
Pray in a circle—holding hands, if possible. Close with a
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need or concern. This teaches children that they can
pray with/for others in “real time.” Encourage children
to pray for one another in “real time.”
Pray with the child at the moment a child expresses a
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helpful to visioning Jesus as smiling and enjoying the
company of children. In this way concrete learners
come to the realization that Jesus came to earth as a
man as well as God, better enabling them to relate to
Him.
Display images of Jesus with children. Doing so is very
Involve Children in Prayer
During Worship
n
vacation Bible School staff, and parochial school staff
are installed and have them place their hands on the
shoulders of, or stand behind, the individual teachers as
the pastor or lay leader prays for the individuals.
Have children come forward when Sunday school staff,
n
in public schools come forward and pray for them
and the children in their classes. At that time, have the
At the beginning of the school year, have the teachers
CM Connections is published on the Web by the LCMS District and Congregational Services, Children’s Ministry,
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, 1333 S. Kirkwood Road, St. Louis, MO 63122-7295; 1-800-248-1930;
www.lcms.org. This publication may be reproduced without charge in its entirety for non-commercial purposes
without prior permission from LCMS Children’s Ministry.
Written by:
Eggemeyer.
Susan Olsen, Prayer Ministry Coordinator, LCMS Northwest District. Editors: Judy Christian/KarenLayout: Karen Eggemeyer. Visit us on the Web at www.lcms.org/children
CM Connections • Worshiping with Children •
April 2009 • Page 4
children in the congregation come forward and place
their hands upon the shoulders, or simply stand behind
the teachers as part of the blessing for the teachers.
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“Christmas for Kids” in their local community (collecting
gifts for children from low income families), invite
the children of the congregation to come forward and
place their hands on the gifts while an adult, or individual
children pray for those who will receive the gifts.
If the congregation participates in something like
Ask God to Grow Your Prayer Life
As someone has said, “The best way to learn to pray is to
start talking with the Lord.” Ask as the disciples did, “Lord,
teach us to pray . . .” (Luke 11:1).
Ask God to grow your prayer life. Consider inviting
another person to be your prayer partner. Meet with that
individual or with others to pray.
Parents and Teachers:
Pray for the children in the class/school during the week;
pray for their families; pray about the lessons that will
be taught and for the minds and hearts that will receive
them. Consider
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activities.
Beginning a prayer group outside your personal prayer
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Start a prayer journal.
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Organize or participate in a prayer retreat
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praying for children, sign up to receive monthly prayer
sheets from LCMS Children’s Ministry by e-mailing
patti.borghardt@lcms.org/children.)
Sign up to receive a prayer daily via e-mail. (To join in
n
stretch your
personal prayer life.
Learn something new about how to pray—
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prayer and most importantly about how Jesus and you
regularly talk together as friends.
Teaching children may not always be an easy task and
yet as anyone who has taught knows that the rewards are
great treasures in our lives. Passing along the faith from
one generation to the next is the responsibility of everyone.
Support of parents in their role as “faith shapers” is
also the responsibility of the faith community. Think about
one or more instances through which God has blessed you
through children. Thank Him for the opportunities you
have to share your faith with the next generation and for
the child/children that have taught you and encouraged
you in your relationship with Christ.
The Lord delights in our prayers and in our teaching
of children. It is our privilege and responsibility to journey
with children as they grow in coming to know their
Savior through prayer, and in praying for others and for
themselves. May you be blessed abundantly as you serve
through “teaching the little children to come unto Him
(through prayer).”s!
Share with children that you are still learning about
prayer curriculum published bi-monthly inside
each issue of
is “to encourage a passion for Christ through
prayer” in elementary-age kids. There are 26 issues
in all and each issue can be ordered separately.
Go to
aspx
is an eight-page, full-color children’sPray! magazine. PrayKids!’s missionhttp://www.navpress.com/landing/praykids.
For more information about the Center for Prayer
Renewal or the Northwest District LCMS Pray
www.nowlcms.org
children, even when His disciples were trying to
keep them away and considered them nuisances
(Mark 10:13-16). In fact, when His disciples asked Him,
“ ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’
called a little child and had the child stand among them.