FAMILY NEWSLETTER SEP 7 - SEP 28

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1 LORD S PRAYER FAMILY NEWSLETTER SEP 7 - SEP 28 Welcome back! We hope you had a fantastic summer and we can t wait to see you again each Sunday at Street 2:52! Our kick-off for this year will be at 9:30 am on Sunday, September 7th. Make sure to look through this newsletter to find information about Street 2:52 updates, our new preschool program, schedules and infromation on what our kids will be learning! STORY IN FOCUS: Matthew 6:9-13 MEMORY VERSE We encourage families to make scripture memorization a priority in their faith journey! Consider implementing an incentive program as a family to encourage your children in their memorization journey. This can be as simple as a sticker chart or even include prizes or special family activity rewards. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. ~Matthew 6:9-13 A YEAR IN PRAYER This year we are exploring the Lord s Prayer. We will begin the year with an overview of the prayer and then focus on teaching the meaning of each stanza in the rotations to follow. A special focus this year will be encouraging students to grow in their own prayer life. We will include a variety of prayer styles throughout our Sunday programming as a way for kids to gain confidence in their ability to talk with God and also discover all the different things they can include in their conversations with God! We hope that in this rotation kids will be able to: Know that Jesus taught the Lord s Prayer as a pattern for us to follow Experience encouragement to grow in their own prayer lives Locate where in the Bible the Lord s Prayer is found Explain what each stanza of the prayer means Recite the Lord s Prayer Celebrate the power of prayer in the lives of all believers

2 ROTATION SCHEDULE PRESCHOOL KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 1 BOYS KINDERGARTEN - GRADE 1 GIRLS GRADE 2-3 GRADE 4-6 SEP 7 9:30 STREET 2:52 ANNUAL KICK-OFF (Preschool children will head to the art studio for second half) SEP 7 Loaves & Fishes Palestine Productions Thou Art Soul Station SEP 14 Thou Art Loaves & FIshes Cooking Co. CHAPEL SEP 14 Loaves & Fishes Palestine Productions Soul Station Thou Art SEP 21 Thou Art Loaves & FIshes Cooking Co. CHAPEL SEP 21 Loaves & Fishes Thou Art Soul Station Palestine Productions SEP 28 Thou Art CHAPEL Loaves & FIshes Cooking Company SEP 28 Loaves & Fishes Soul Station Thou Art Palestine Productions CURRENT VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE Preschool Class 9:30 Steph Christensen Preschool Class 11:30 Andrea Anderst Preschool Buddy 9:30 Jennell Bertsch Preschool Buddy 11:30 TBA K-1 Boys Buddy 9:30 Mike Christensen K-1 Boys Buddy 11:30 Rajeev Goonewardene Hall Monitor 9:30 Dayton Strauss Hall Monitor 11:30 Lucy Adamson Chapel Andrea Anderst Thou Art Olga Hammond Loaves & Fishes Cooking Company Heather Unger Palestine Productions Marla Cameron & Amy Thiessen Soul Station Melinda Elgot K-1: Darin/Rena Bruins Grade 2-6: Leslie Fithen A volunteer schedule for the entire year will be posted for viewing at the church in the near future! Make sure to check it out and SIGN UP!!

3 OVERVIEW OF WORKSHOPS AND OBJECTIVES: Throughout an entire rotation children learn through a variety of learning styles, repetition and varying story viewpoints. The entire rotation is designed to increase memory retention, dig deep into scripture and inspire a long term faith journey. To get the best view of the overall teaching objectives, we ve broken them down by workshop for you to see. Thou Art Prayer Journals Kids will create a prayer journal to use at home as they learn about aspects of the Lord s Prayer and the Sermon on the Mount. BIBLE TIMES SQUARE GAMES Kids will explore the practice of prayer through a variety of object lessons and interactive games. LOAVES & FISHES COOKING CO. Classes will discuss the practice of prayer while making baked pretzels - a snack originally made to help children pray! SIGN LANGUAGE Children will learn the Lord s prayer with sign language! VIRTUAL PRAYER WALK Kids will walk through a variety of stations with activities that teach about the meaning behind each statement in the Lord s Prayer. MOVIE Children will watch an animated film about the power of prayer in the life of the Apostle Peter. The film also discusses the Lord s Prayer as the early followers of Jesus apply what their savior taught them. PRESCHOOL Preschoolers will be learning about the Lord s Prayer as they discover that God wants them to talk to Him. Activities will include Bible stories, games, crafts and free play time. A NEW PRESCHOOL PROGRAM!! We re excited to introduce a brand new Preschool Program on Street 2:52 this year! This new program will help our youngest students: Develop their faith through age appropriate learning that focuses on basic foundational truths about God Gain confidence through both guided and independent activities Transition from the toddler room to the standard Street 2:52 program by providing an adapted program that introduces aspects of Street 2:52 while caring for the developmental needs of this age group. Form relationships with teachers on a more consistent basis than the standard Street 2:52 program. The Preschool program will include: Consistent teachers for each 4-5 week rotation. A standard routine for each class time to build familiarity, consistency and confidence. A focus on one Bible story for each rotation (Stories are chosen to provide the best ageappropriate teaching. When possible, we will aim to have this story align with the rest of the Street 2:52 program.) A variety of storytelling techniques. A wide variety of hands-on Bible based activities that are modeled after workshop activities in the standard Street 2:52 program. When can my child join the preschool program? Children are encouraged to join in September of the year they turn 3. If a child is turning 3 between January - June and parents are feeling that they are eager/ready to transition from the toddler room they have the option to start Street 2:52 in January. Signs of being ready to transition early would be readiness to learn, ability to listen and follow instructions, good interaction skills with peers, ability to communicate with words and some confidence to be left without mom/dad (all of these abilities are understandably still in developing form at this age and some kids join the program in September without some or all of these!) Children joining Street 2:52 should be potty trained Newcomers to the church may join the program at any time within these guidelines Questions? Chat with Marla/Andrea or send us an at street252@zbcc.ca

4 GENERAL PROGRAM REMINDERS To be ready for each session on Street 2:52, please remember to: Bring your Bible! Provide a snack for your kids between sessions. While some workshops provide food, it isn t guaranteed that your kids will get a snack each Sunday and a little bit of food helps with attention span, behaviour and simply avoid hungry tummies! Visit the washroom before joining your workshop. Be on time! Pick up your children until they are in Grade 3. Sign your children in/out if they are in Preschool through Grade 1. BEHAVIOUR GUIDELINES KIDS ON STREET 2:52 ARE EXPECTED TO: 1. Follow directions. 2. Listen when others are talking. 3. Respect others. Be kind with your words and actions. 4. Treat the space and supplies of Street 2:52 with care. WHEN BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS ARISE, TEACHERS WILL RESPECTFULLY: 1. Address the issue: The teacher should attempt to determine the basic cause of the misbehavior and try to resolve it. The teacher should talk with the student(s) involved and clearly explain the problem and the behavior modification that needs to take place. If the same behavior continues or amplifies, the teacher will 2. Offer a pit stop : The teacher will ask the student(s) involved to take a pit stop a break from the activity along the side of the class and away from others. During this time the student is expected to refocus and reconsider his/her actions. They are encouraged to join back into the activity if/when they are ready to follow the rules and modify their behavior. If the same behavior continues or amplifies, the teacher will 3. Notify the parent and dismiss from class: If a behavior is not able to be resolved in the classroom, the teacher will request that the student sits out of the activity until the hall monitor has gone to notify the parent(s) of the child involved. The student will be dismissed to the parent for the remainder of the class time. A short explanation of the behavior will be given and after the class time is finished, parents are encouraged to come and talk with the teacher to gather more information about what happene in class. Teachers are very busy with their lesson and activities. Stopping to discuss during class is disruptive and will detract further from the enjoyment of the rest of the students. *In the case where behavior threatens physical or emotional safety of another child, the teacher will immediately move to step three of the discipline process. PLEASE NOTE: We do not use physical discipline on Street 2:52. Physical restraint would only take place to prevent imminent injury to the child or other children, provided such restraint is immediately necessary and does not involve injurious behavior. QUESTIONS/CONCERNS It is our desire that this procedure should help to create a positive environment for all involved on Street 2:52. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Andrea Anderst.

5 SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 7 The Lord s Prayer 9:30 - Official Kick-off 14 The Lord s Prayer 21 The Lord s Prayer 28 The Lord s Prayer OCTOBER 5 Zion Thanksgiving Meal - NP 12 Thanksgiving Sunday - NP 19 The Prodigal Son 26 The Prodigal Son NOVEMBER 2 The Prodigal Son 9 The Prodigal Son 16 Isaiah s Prophecy & The Birth of Jesus 23 Isaiah s Prophecy & The Birth of Jesus 30 Isaiah s Prophecy & The Birth of Jesus DECEMBER 7 Isaiah s Prophecy & The Birth of Jesus 11:00 Grade 2-6 pageant prep 14 Isaiah s Prophecy & The Birth of Jesus **Christmas Pageant times will be advertised at a later date. 21 Christmas Break - NP 28 Christmas Break - NP JANUARY 4 Christmas Break - NP 11 The Parable of the Sower 18 The Parable of the Sower 25 The Parable of the Sower FEBRUARY 1 The Parable of the Sower 8 The Parable of the Sower 15 Zion Family Camp - NP 22 Jonah MARCH 1 Jonah 8 Jonah 15 Jonah 22 Peter s Reconciliation & Easter Story 29 Peter s Reconciliation & Easter Story APRIL 5 Easter Sunday - NP 12 Peter s Reconciliation & Easter Story 19 Jesus Feeds the 5, Jesus Feeds the 5,000 MAY 3 Jesus Feeds the 5, Jesus Feeds the 5, May Long Weekend - NP 24 God s Armour 31 God s Armour JUNE 7 God s Armour 14 God s Armour 21 God s Armour 11:00 Year End Party Unless otherwise mentioned, each Sunday includes two unique program times (9:30 and during the 11:00 service). At the start of each rotation (the time spent studying one story) the 9:30 program time will be a kick-off to the story in focus. This year, students will also be participating in hands-on prayer stations during each kick-off Sunday. This should be an exciting way to encourage our children in their own prayer life. NP - No Street 2:52 Programming offered

6 BIBLE BACKGROUND Background Information: The prayer we have come to know as the Lord s Prayer is found in two of the gospels, Matthew and Luke. There are some differences in the two texts, and some slightly different wording used among Christian s in worship. In Matthew s gospel, the Lord s Prayer is part of Jesus teaching in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus contrasts the people who pray loudly and conspicuously for all to hear with more personal prayer. In Luke s gospel, the disciples ask Jesus specifically to teach them to pray as He does, Lord teach us to pray. There must have been something about the way Jesus prayed, the level of intimacy He shared, the living, breathing power that was released. Whatever it was, they wanted to have it too. Lord, teach us to pray What is Prayer? Prayer is communication with God. Communication includes both talking and listening. Prayer is about relationships. By spending time with God in prayer, we grow closer to God. Imagine what it would be like if you never spent any time, never talked with your best friend. How long would you remain friends? Prayer is a spiritual discipline. Spiritual disciplines are regular practices that help us grow and mature in our faith. The Canadian Oxford Dictionary defines prayer as a solemn request or thanksgiving to God This somewhat solemn definition also promotes the common misunderstanding that prayer is all about bringing our wish list to God. The primary purpose of prayer is not simply asking God for what we want or need. After all, God knows our needs better than we do. The primary purpose of prayer is to spend time in conversation and silence with our Father. Perhaps a better definition of prayer is one by Canadian writer and teacher Jean Vanier. He describes prayer as resting in the quiet, gentle presence of God. Prayer is about privilege, the miraculous privilege of spending time in intimate conversation with the Creator of the universe! Prayer in the Old Testament The power of prayer was not new to the Jewish people. They did not suddenly learn of its importance when Jesus came on the scene. Jewish people did not doubt the power of prayer. Jewish rabbis called prayer, the weapon of the mouth. Old Testament scriptures speak of prayer: The Lord is near to all who call upon him, Psalm 145:18 When I was in trouble, I called out to you and you answered me. Jonah 2:2 Praising God, thanking God, praying for one s self and others, prayers for forgiveness all these were integral parts of the Jewish faith. Because prayer was held in such high regard, there was a tendency to surround its practice with rules and regulations; it was prone to being formalized. Jews formalized prayer in several ways. Prayer was formalized regarding time. Devout Jews prayed three times a day: 9:00 a.m., 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. (The morning prayer was ascribed to Abraham, the afternoon prayer to Isaac and the evening prayer to Jacob.) Formalism also developed around place. The best place to pray was in the Temple. If that wasn t possible, then the Synagogue would do. Working men could pray where they were, but were expected to face Jerusalem. If inside the Temple, one prayed while facing the Holy of Holies. The types or forms of prayer also became formalized. The greatest of Jewish prayers was called The Eighteen. Jews prayed these eighteen prayers three times a day. But beyond these eighteen prayers, there were prayers for all the events of life. There were prayers to be prayed at the sight of fruits or vegetables - Blessed art thou who creates the fruit of the tree, the fruit of the vine, the fruit of the earth. prayers for earthquakes and lightning and thunderstorms and shooting stars - Blessed is he whose power and might fill the world, prayers for rain and good news - Blessed is he, the good and the doer of good, and prayers for bad news - Blessed is he, the true judge. There were even prayers to be prayed when entering and leaving a city. The intent of all these prayers was good -- Jewish people recognized that all aspects of their lives were related to God. No matter what happened, a faithful Jew would turn his or her heart to God. But pat prayers can became rote and rituals lose their meaning when they are only formalized regulations without heart involvement or meaning. For many of the religious leaders, the Pharisees

7 and scribes, this was the situation. Ritual prayer had become so formalized that many in the Jewish faith had lost their way. Prayer had become self-centered and self-seeking. The focus was not God. First century Greeks and Romans also formalized prayer practices. They believed prayer had magical properties. By repeating a precise phrase or incantation over and over, they believed they would gain the favor of a god. The more frequently and fervently they spoke these words, the more powerful the prayer would be. (Think back to the Baal worshipers on Mt. Carmel with their frenzied cries and prayers - a lesson we studied not too long ago on Street 2:52) Jesus spoke against this meaningless repetition in Matthew 6:7. The actual Greek word is battalogeo (sounds somewhat like babbling). Jesus teachings on prayer Jesus criticized those who used self-centered public prayer to draw attention to themselves. Does this mean we should never pray out loud or in public? Of course not! Corporate prayer is an important part of our faith. It reminds us we are a community of believers. It helps others feel included and it teaches others how to pray. Flowery phrases, theological rhetoric and big words are more about impressing others than about sincerely communicating with God. Jesus had pretty harsh words for those who pray like this They have their reward. (Matthew 6:5) The Lord s Prayer The Lord s Prayer has been called the model prayer. Memorizing the Lord s Prayer is a rite of passage for most Christians. This prayer is without a doubt the most prayed prayer in the world. There is value in memorizing Scripture and certainly we want our children to learn the Lord s Prayer by heart. Learning it will help them participate more fully in worship. But we do want to avoid the danger of formalizing this prayer, (just like our Jewish forebears), and reducing it to rote ritual. Jesus taught His disciples the Lord s Prayer not so that they would have the perfect words to say, but rather so they would have a pattern or outline to use for their daily prayers. Outline of Lord s Prayer (direct quote from The Prayer of Jesus: Living the Lord s Prayer, Ken Hemphill, Lifeway Press, Nashville, 2002) The Three-Part Address Our (stresses community) Father (stresses relationship) Who is in heaven (stresses authority) The Three-Part Commitment Hallowed be your name(commitment to holiness) Your Kingdom come (commitment to participation) Your will be done (commitment to obedience) The Three Part Petition Daily Bread (trust for physical provision) Forgiveness of trespasses/debts(trust for cleansing) Deliverance from evil (trust for power over temptation) The Three-Part Benediction Yours is the kingdom (focuses on God s rule, God s Kingdom) The power (focuses on his sufficiency) The glory (focuses on his presence) Our Father who art in heaven Our the first word in the Lord s Prayer is plural. Actually, all the first person pronouns in the prayer are plural. This reminds us that when we pray we are praying as part of a community. Father - The word Jesus used is actually translated Abba and means Papa or Daddy. John Killinger, in his book The God Named Hallowed, writes, For Jesus to call God our heavenly Father was to make the most audacious theological statement that could ever be made. God who created our world and everything in it, the heavens, the oceans, the forests God who led the Hebrews out of Egypt, who spoke when Jesus was baptized, who called Abraham out of Ur to go to a new land Think about it this God this amazing, powerful, all-mighty God is our Father, our daddy.

8 Now many Old Testament scriptures speak of God as father. The Jewish faith contains a rich heritage of images of God as father, but all of these understandings were based primarily on obligations, judgment and responsibility. First century Jews would never have addressed God with such a sense of familiarity. It was revolutionary to think of God in such an intimate way! Without Jesus Christ, no one could think of God like this today! Prayer is a precious privilege, made possible by the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, this intimate relationship with God is possible! Who art in heaven These words tell us more about God s authority than His location. God is present throughout the world and is not confined to space or time. We say God is omnipresent meaning God is everywhere. Hallowed be thy name In ancient times one s name was more than simply what people called you. Your name stood for your character, your nature, your personality. (Thus we understand the many names that were given to God in the Old Testament names that revealed God s nature) Ancient Hebrews believed that the name of God was so holy and so powerful, that it was spoken only once a year, and then only by the High Priest when he went into the Holy of Holies. The word hallowed means holy or sanctified, or to be held in reverence. When we pray that God s name be hallowed, we pray that God is given all the reverence, honor and glory that His divine being deserves. It also means that we commit to keeping God s name holy in our lives. We make God holy when we remember who God is, what God has done and when our actions reveal this. God s name is hallowed when all our actions are a witness to our faith. In a culture where Christianity is fast becoming irrelevant, how do we hallow God? To hallow God, we must dedicate within our own hearts, a place to worship God. Thy Kingdom Come Thy Will be Done This phrase of the Lord s Prayer may be the central petition of the Lord s Prayer. Certainly Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God more than any other message. So, in order to understand this prayer, we must understand what is meant by the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God (also called the Kingdom of Heaven) is better described as the reign of God or the rule of God, rather than a specific territory or region. Christ s teachings tell us that God s kingdom is both a coming event and a present reality. It s easier sometimes for us to picture the future than it is to understand the present. How can the Kingdom be here and now? What does it mean? Hebrew writing uses a literary practice called parallelism. Basically everything is said twice, with the second sentence explaining or expounding upon the first. The psalmists used this literary device frequently. Applying normal Hebrew parallelism to the Lord s Prayer helps us better understand the Kingdom of God. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. The second phrase amplifies the meaning of the first; it explains that the Kingdom of God is God s will done as perfectly on earth as it is in heaven! So, the Kingdom of God means doing the will of God. When we do God s will, we are part of the kingdom. When we go about our everyday lives in an attitude of expectancy and willingness to spread God s word, we are participating in the Kingdom. When we pray for God s will to be done in specific situations, we recall the lesson of Jesus prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane we may not be released from an ordeal we face, but we can receive the power and stamina to face it. Give us this day our daily bread In this part of the prayer we pray for God to provide us with sustenance for our daily living. We need our daily needs supplied so we can be about the work of God s kingdom! This part of the Lord s Prayer teaches us to be dependent upon God to meet our needs, just as the Israelites were dependent on God for manna in the wilderness. We remember that Jesus is the bread of life. We are reminded to avoid the allure of riches and the belief that we can manage on our own without God. The prayer refers to daily bread. We need not worry about the distant future. And lastly, we note that the prayer refers to our bread. Because we know that God will provide enough for us, we are free to share our excess with others.

9 And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us Debts, trespasses, sins various denominations use these words interchangeably. Luke s gospel says, Forgive us our sins. Matthew s gospel says debts. The word trespass comes from a rendering by the translator Tyndale and probably refers to the amplification in Matthew 6:14-15 If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you In Aramaic, the Hebrew word for sins is choba, which in fact means debt. When Matthew s gospel was written (remember the New Testament was written in Greek), the Greek word for debt was used. So, it is arguable, that the best translation is actually sins. We all sin. We miss the mark. We disobey God. This prayer proves the universality of sin. So, we pray for forgiveness of our sins and we also pray that we forgive those who sin (or trespass) against us. When we are willing to forgive, we show others that we have truly been forgiven ourselves. None of us deserves forgiveness it is a free gift from a gracious and merciful God (that is what grace is!). When we truly experience this gift of grace, it makes us more forgiving and merciful toward others. Lead us not into temptation The Greek word for temptation is peirasmos. It also means trial or test. Temptation is a universal and inescapable part of the human condition. It is not outside the plan and the purpose of God. Through trials and ordeals, we grow and are strengthened. The temptation experience provides a test of our power to resist. Origen, an early church leader, writes, Let us pray to be delivered from temptation, not that we should not be tempted which is impossible, especially for those on earth but that we may not yield when we are tempted that we may not be brought under the power of temptation caught and captured by it. This view of temptation is more of a victory or a conquest of it. One of the earliest interpretations, dating from Augustine s time, reads, Do not allow us to be led into temptation. John Killinger writes in The God Named Hallowed, that the temptations and trials in our country may be more insidious than those faced by first century Christians. Their forms of peirasmos were often persecution and death. In a world where we are not imprisoned for our beliefs, and where Bibles lie about for the taking in every hotel room, we simply forget the importance of the Father in daily life, and Christ becomes a stranger to us. The very absence of pressure leads to our forgetting, our not taking it seriously, or falling away. This is a more informal type of peirasmos, a subtle temptation, nothing big more of a lack of making an effort. We forget that Jesus said to pray to avoid this. We gradually drift away. Killinger believes that more Christians are lost this way and more churches are weakened and made ineffective from this type of peirasmos than anything else. But deliver us from evil The translations in this clause are divided between Deliver us from evil and Deliver us from the Evil One. The goal of the Evil One is to break the relationship between God and man to separate them for all eternity. When we pray to be delivered from evil, we pray for protection against it and for strength to resist and overcome it. The final petition of the Lord s Prayer acknowledges the danger of the human situation, confesses our inadequacy to deal with it on our own and seeks the protecting power of God. Amen In Hebrew, the word Amen means so be it or thus let it be. We say Amen as our way of affirming what has been said. The word Amen is the one word in the Lord s Prayer that is recognizable wherever it is prayed and whatever the language. But for Christians, the word Amen has come to mean even more. When we pray in Jesus name, we remember that we do not speak it alone, but through Christ Himself, who knows us, loves us and died for us. The Lord s Prayer gives us a pattern, an outline that restores God to His proper place in our prayers. Through the Lord s Prayer we celebrate the majesty of God, we remember the purpose of God and we accept the will of God. SOURCES: Hemphill, Ken. The Prayer of Jesus: Living the Lord s Prayer. Lifeway Press, Hey God, Let s Talk. Abingdon Press, 2000 Keller, W. Phillip. A Layman Looks at the Lord s Prayer. Moody Press, Killiger, John. The God Named Hallowed: The Lord s Prayer for Today. Abingdon Press, Lucas, Daryl J.ed. Over 200 Questions Children Ask About Prayer, Heaven and Angels. Tyndale, House Publishers, Martin, Reverend Lisa. The Lord s Prayer Rotation Lesson set Trinity UCC, Pottstown, PA. Osborne, Rich and K. Christie Bowler. I Want to Know about Prayer. Zondervan Publishing House, Richards, Lawrence O. Richard s Complete Bible Dictionary. World Bible Publishers, Inc., 2002.

10 FAQs about Prayer - A Handout to help discuss children s questions (Adapted from Over 200 Questions Children Ask about Prayer, Heaven and Angels, edited by Daryl J. Lucas, Tyndale House Publishers, 2000) There are difficult questions about prayer for adults as well as children. Use this list as a resource as you discuss these questions with the children. Does God listen to all prayers? Yes, God hears all our prayers, no matter where we are or what we re doing. God doesn t sleep and he is always nearby. Does God always answer prayer? God does hear and respond to every prayer, but the answer is not always yes. God answers yes, no and wait. God knows us best and truly wants what is best for us. God won t do some things. God won t answer prayers that go against what He says in the Bible. Some things are not so clear-cut. Then it is wise to pray as Jesus did, if it is your will. Whatever answer God gives you can be sure it is the right one. We can trust God because He is trustworthy. We can have faith in God because he is faithful. God wants what is best for us! Sometimes a wait answer comes because we aren t ready for it yet, or perhaps God has something better in store for us. What should I do if it seems like God isn t answering my prayers? When we get discouraged, we should tell God about how we re feeling. Don t stop praying! Sometimes bad things happen. Remember that in these moments prayer can remind us that God is with us and cares for us. Sometimes these moments can teach us and make our faith grow stronger. We need to keep praying for God to give us strength and keep trusting that God is working things out for good. Why pray since God already knows what I m thinking? Prayer is the way God designed things to be; it s part of God s plan. Prayer is not just about asking God for stuff. Prayer is about spending time with God. By spending time with God, you will grow closer and your faith will be strengthened. We learn something from God when we pray. If I ve done something wrong or been bad, can I still pray? You can pray anytime about anything. When we ve done something wrong it s one of the BEST times to pray. God wants us to pray and to admit what we ve done and ask God to forgive us and help us grow from our mistakes. Does prayer change God s mind? God s plan and purpose when it comes to prayer is a mystery that we don t completely understand. We know that God is omniscient all knowing. But God has commanded us to pray and Scripture tells us that often you do not have because you do not ask God. (James 4:2) God wants us to pray. When we pray we work with God in the world we are part of God s Kingdom. Should we bother God with little things? God truly cares about us and if something is of concern to us, it concerns God. Paul tells us In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6) If something is bothering us, God wants us to talk to Him about it! How does God answer our prayers? God answers prayers in many ways. Sometimes God uses other people. Sometimes God gives us the wisdom or strength we need. God sometimes performs miracles. But almost always, as we pray and spend more time with God in prayer, God changes our hearts. This process is called sanctification it s a big word that means God is working on us so that we become more and more like Jesus. Does it matter how we pray? It doesn t matter what position you are in, where you are, or whether your eyes are opened or closed, but our attitude about prayer does matter. We should pray sincerely and respectfully. That means we use words that come from our hearts and we don t try to use big words to impress people. We also need to make sure that we don t act silly after all we are talking to the great allpowerful God, King of Kings and Lord of the Universe! We should also pray alone spending some time each day with God. Some people call this a quiet time.

11 Is it good to memorize prayers? The good thing about memorizing prayers is that we remember them. Remembering prayers like the Lord s Prayer can be very helpful when we are scared or lonely or facing difficult times. But the problem with memorized prayers is that sometimes we get to know the words so well, that we don t even think about what we re saying. God wants us to tell Him our true thoughts and use our own words, too. Why do we have to thank God for all things? The Bible tells us to thank God in all things, not for all things. Sometimes bad things happen and God doesn t expect us to thank Him for those. When pets die or friends move, it is sad. But God does want us to remember that He has a good plan for us and that things will be ok. We trust in God s goodness and His love for us and we can be thankful. What happens if we don t pray? When people don t pray, they grow apart from God. It s like two friends who never see each other or talk on the phone. Before long, they aren t friends anymore. People who don t pray, miss out on getting to know God better. Is it ok to ask God for things like toys? It s ok to ask God for fun things like toys because we can talk with God about anything. But remember, that it doesn t mean that we will get it for sure. It s also important to remember that we shouldn t ask God to give us things if we only want them for selfish reasons. And it s certainly good to ask for things that can be used to help others. Should we pray for kids who aren t nice or are mean to us? This is one of the hardest things to do, but it absolutely is one of the best things we can do to help them. We can pray for God to help us be kind and loving to them so that they will learn about God s love through us. We shouldn t pray for God to punish someone, even those who are mean to us. Instead pray that these people will learn to love and trust God. When we pray for someone not to die and they do, does that mean God doesn t care? No! God loves us! Every person has to die; it s part of life. God loves all people that s why He sent Jesus to take away our sins. Death is not the end. God s people will be with God forever.