2U	Prayers which Work
	Preparation Before the lesson photocopy one worksheet for each child. Lesson Tell the children that today they are going to be God as understood by Christians. This may prove easier for some to imagine than others. They are going to hear the words which are directed to Him by various people. Talk children through the worksheet. Children to complete worksheet. Do the prayers which God hears have something in common? Are there different types of prayer? Ask the children to reflect on the last time they really prayed. What was happening in their lives? What did they ask for? Did their prayer 'work'? Ask children who are willing to share with the rest of the class their experience of prayers which 'worked'. Christians believe that God listens and responds to every prayer directed to Him. As the children themselves are pretending to be God, how would they respond to the requests which people made on the worksheet? Discuss. In the Bible, how did God respond to those who prayed to Him? Activity In small groups or as whole class, consider the situations outlined on the resource sheet. As God, what would the children have done? What did He do? Children are to use the worksheet to record their responses. Christians believe that they should say thank you to God for all the times He answered their prayers. Conclusion Conclude lesson by reading Psalm 138 Notes You could use this lesson to begin a class Prayer Board. If you don't want to call it this, then call it something else - the name is irrelevant. The idea is that children have a space on which to write about troubling situations either in their own lives or in the world. For example, a child may write about a forthcoming stay in hospital, while another might be concerned about the violence in Northern Ireland. You could set aside a few minutes each day, where these situations are either prayed for or brought to mind during a period of stillness. I have found it an excellent way to build relationships within the class. Although it is important to remind the children not to write about situations at home which their parents would not like other people to know. If in doubt, they should check.
	A Primary Vision resource provided by Stockport Christians in Schools Trust

2U

Prayers which Work

Preparation

Before the lesson photocopy one worksheet for each child.

Lesson

Tell the children that today they are going to be God as understood by Christians. This may prove easier for some to imagine than others. They are going to hear the words which are directed to Him by various people. Talk children through the worksheet.

Children to complete worksheet. Do the prayers which God hears have something in common? Are there different types of prayer?

Ask the children to reflect on the last time they really prayed.

What was happening in their lives?
What did they ask for?
Did their prayer 'work'?

Ask children who are willing to share with the rest of the class their experience of prayers which 'worked'.

Christians believe that God listens and responds to every prayer directed to Him. As the children themselves are pretending to be God, how would they respond to the requests which people made on the worksheet? Discuss.

In the Bible, how did God respond to those who prayed to Him?

Activity

In small groups or as whole class, consider the situations outlined on the resource sheet. As God, what would the children have done? What did He do? Children are to use the worksheet to record their responses.

Christians believe that they should say thank you to God for all the times He answered their prayers.

Conclusion

Conclude lesson by reading Psalm 138

Notes

You could use this lesson to begin a class Prayer Board. If you don't want to call it this, then call it something else - the name is irrelevant. The idea is that children have a space on which to write about troubling situations either in their own lives or in the world. For example, a child may write about a forthcoming stay in hospital, while another might be concerned about the violence in Northern Ireland.

You could set aside a few minutes each day, where these situations are either prayed for or brought to mind during a period of stillness. I have found it an excellent way to build relationships within the class. Although it is important to remind the children not to write about situations at home which their parents would not like other people to know. If in doubt, they should check.