LESSON 16 – PRAYER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
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(5 min)
Confirmation Program Upcoming Dates
Journal Reminder
Youth Group Program Announcements
Confirmation Requirement Reminders – Wed. Night, Retreat, Service Project
Confirmation Service is May 4th. 4:30 pm
INTRODUCTION: LISTEN UP!
(5 min)
Place 3 chairs up front.
SAY: I need two volunteers who really like to talk.
Invite these volunteers to sit in the two chairs on the end.
SAY: Now I need one more volunteer.
Have this person sit in the middle chair.
INSTRUCTIONS
The two people on the ends will begin talking when I say “Go.”
Give them some ideas about what to talk about. Possibilities include: what you did this
weekend, the story of your favorite movie or book, a high or low from your week.
The two people on the end’s task: to both talk – at the same time – for one minute – without
stopping. Try to get the person in the middle to listen to you.
The person in the middle’s task is just to sit and listen.
At the end of 1 minute say “Stop.” Thank the talkers for their effort.
Ask the person in the middle to tell us what he/she remembers from listening to the two
people. Recall as many details as possible as well as who said what.
Discussion
1. For the person in the middle: What was it like trying to listen to both people at once?
2. For the talkers: What was it like trying to get the person to listen to you?
3. To the class: What was your experience like during this activity? Did you try to listen as
well or tune them out or something else? Why?
LESSON
(10 min)
Today our lesson is on prayer. We have stressed the importance of prayer throughout our
Confirmation Experience. We feel prayer is so important and powerful that we also have
devoted an entire lesson to learning about prayer and getting to practice some different ways
of praying. One important aspect of prayer is that prayer is conversation. Prayer is talking, but
just as important – perhaps even more important – prayer is listening. Like our activity, so often
we are surrounded by many voices telling us different things that it might be hard to listen. The
same can be true with our prayers. We feel like we have to do all the talking, but often we just
need to be quiet and listen.
Former CBS anchor Dan Rather found himself unprepared for a television interview with Mother Teresa
several years ago.
"When you pray," asked Rather, "what do you say to God?"
"I don't say anything," she replied. "I just listen."
Rather cleared his throat...paused, and then said "Well, okay...when God speaks to you, then, what does
He say?"
Mother Teresa sat in her chair, smiled at Mr. Rather, and said..."He doesn't say anything...He just
listens."
Rather was bewildered. For an instant, he didn't know what to say.
"And if you don't understand that," Mother Teresa added, "I can't explain it to you."
WHAT PRAYER IS AND IS NOT
Divide into small groups. Assign each group one of the verses below.
Have the groups read their scripture and discuss “What does this scripture say about what
prayer is and/or is not.”
Tell groups that they will share their findings with the class so have someone write down what
is discussed and someone to share the list with the class.
1. LUKE 11:1-4 – Jesus teaching his disciples to pray.
a. Prayer can be memorized lines, prayer can be taught, prayer can be done corporately
(said together in groups), prayer does not need to be spontaneous to be authentic.
2. ROMANS 8:26-27 – The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
a. Sometimes we may not know what to pray for, it is normal to not know what to say, God
knows our prayers even if we do not speak them, the Holy Spirit can intercede for us.
3. JAMES 5:13-18 – The power of prayer
a. You should pray if you are suffering, pray for those who are sick, prayer can heal sickness
and be a path to forgiveness, prayer is powerful.
4. LUKE 18:9-14 – Prayer of the tax collector and the Pharisee
a. Prayer should be done with humility, God accepts true prayer even from sinners, our
prayers should be genuine
Invite groups one at a time to share what their scripture says about prayer. What it is and what it is not.
Make a list of IS and IS NOT on the board or chart paper.
You may use some of the things in italics above. You can also add some of the things below or add your
own ideas.
IS NOT: Telling God something God does not already know or catching God up on things. Not a means of
influencing God or getting God to do something God would otherwise not do, Not leverage with God.
Not manipulating God. Not about treating God like a vending machine – making our request then
waiting for it to immediately and magically pop out for us.
IS: Drawing close to God. A mystery. Prayer changes us. Makes us aware of who we are and who God is.
Brings us into alignment with God. A setting for relationship. Space to hear God. Conversation – talking
to and listening to God.
TRANSITION: Prayer can be an intimidating and even scary.
ASK: How many of you have ever been asked to pray out loud and you did not want to?
Invite someone to share an example – or share one from your life.
What are some reasons why people do not pray? (Either out loud or just in general)
ASK: Have you ever tried to pray but did not know what to say or do?
ASK: Do you ever skip praying because you don’t feel like you are good at it, or that prayer may not
really make the difference you are hoping for?
REINFORCING
(15-20 Min)
There are many different prayers throughout the Bible. We are now going to get back into our
groups. Each group will be assigned a prayer from someone in the Bible. In your groups, read
the prayer together, and then discuss the following:
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION
1. What did this person pray for?
2. Why do you think this person prayed for this?
3. How do you think this prayer made an impact on the person who was praying or who
he/she was praying for?
4. What question(s) do you have about prayer?
PRAYERS FROM SCRIPTURE
1. Matthew 6:5-15 - The Lord’s Prayer
2. Daniel 9:4-19 - Daniel’s Prayer. God’s people had sinned—and were under His judgment. Rather
than blame God, make excuses, or simply despair, the prophet Daniel instead voiced one of the
most moving prayers of repentance recorded in the entire Bible:
3. Chronicles 20:5-12 - Jehoshaphat Prays for Deliverance. We don’t know what to do so we are
looking to you.
4. Nehemiah 1:4-11 – Nehemiah prays for his people.
PRAYER STATIONS
We have talked a lot about prayer, now we will now move into a time for you to practice
praying. There are 3 different stations set up for you to explore ways to pray. You may try as
many of as few as you like in the time. If you really enjoy one and want to stay there for a while,
feel free. If you want to hop around and try all four, that is fine too.
If you have any questions, please ask one of the teachers to help you.
PRAYER STATIONS
DOODLE PRAYERS
ACTS PRAYER
FINGER LABYRINTH
Prayer station instructions are provided. You can download them along with the lesson. Hard
copies will be available at the welcome desk. FEEL FREE TO ADD ANOTHER STATION IF YOU
HAVE ONE THAT YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE OR FEEL WILL HELP THE STUDENTS UNDERSTAND
AND ENGAGE IN PRAYER.
CLOSING AND REMINDERS
(Recap and 2nd reminders of announcements)