Prayerful Heart: Week One
I hope you enjoy this devotional designed for ages 4-8 to teach your children how to have a prayerful heart. Read the italic section or paraphrase with your children to fit their age level. Click here for a printer friendly version. -Taylor
Introduction: Of all the people in the world, Jesus has the most beautiful heart! He shows how beautiful His heart is by His character- the way He acts towards God and others. Can you think of some character traits that Jesus shows? [kind, responsible, helpful] We want to be like Jesus and have a beautiful heart too.
Define Prayerful: Today we are going to learn one of Jesus’ character traits. Jesus is prayerful! 
Prayerful means we like to talk to God and we do so throughout the day.
Give Examples: Can you think of a different times when you can talk to God? When during the day do you like to talk to God? (wait for answers) When else can we talk to God? (wait for answers) How about when you are feeling sad, worried, or mad? God likes to talk to us ALL the time. He wants to help us when we are sad, comfort us when we are worried, and rejoice with us when we are happy! There is never a wrong time to talk to God, even if it’s quietly in our heart!
Learn from Jesus: Let’s find out when and where Jesus liked to pray to God by reading a verse from the Bible.
Read Mark 1:35: Jesus Prays : “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where he prayed.” Mark 1:35 (NIV)
Questions to Consider:
When and where did Jesus pray in this verse?
Why do you think he had to wake up so early and find a quiet place?
Do you think it was important to Jesus to spend time talking to His Father?
Summary: Jesus loved His Father, God, very much, and it was very important to Hm to pray to God. Even though He was busy and around other people a lot, he found time to get away and be alone with God. The Bible says God wants us to talk to Him too, just like Jesus did!
Prayer: Let’s pray together and thank Jesus for showing us how we can talk to God.
Dear Jesus, thank you that you showed us how important it is to pray. You needed to talk to your Father, and we need to talk to God too. Please help us learn to talk to God more and more each day. Amen.
Prayerful Heart: Week Two
Let’s Review: We are learning about Jesus’ beautiful heart and how He was prayerful on earth. What does it mean to be prayerful? Do you think God wants us to talk to God too?
Learn from the Bible: Let’s read Romans 12:12 to see what the Bible says about how often to pray. “Pray all the time.” Romans 12:12. (NIV)
According to the verse, when should we pray?
Why do you think God wants us to talk to Him so much?
Bringing It Home: I am going to give you some scenarios, and let’s decide how you can be prayerful in each situation.
- You are about to go to bed, and your mom or dad are tucking you in at night. How can you be prayerful?
- Your cousin got really sick. How can you be prayerful?
- You are about to eat a yummy dinner? How can you be prayerful?
- There is a storm and the electricity is out. How can you be prayerful?
- You just had a great weekend and you are so thankful for all that God has given you. How can you be prayerful?
Let’s Practice: Here are some ways to practice a prayerful heart with your children this week and throughout the month.
Click here for a video to help you practice being prayerful.
Pray with your children at different times during the day.
Remind your children to talk to God whenever they feel like it, because God loves them so much and wants to hear what they have to say.
Memorize Romans 12:12. Click here for a link with a tune. When we memorize God’s Word, it helps us remember to follow His ways!
Prayer: Let’s pray together and ask Jesus to help us have a prayerful heart.
Dear Jesus, thank you that you love us so much that you want to hear us and speak to us. Help us remember to pray to you in many ways throughout the day. Amen.
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