A Set of Lessons and Resources for Teaching the Lord's Prayer in Sunday School
Written and posted by member Jaymie Derden, with updates from our Content Team
This first post includes:
- A list of the lessons posted below in this topic.
- A Bible Background about the Lord's Prayer
- Answers to Children's Frequently Asked Questions About Prayer
List of Lessons Posted in This Topic at Rotation.org:
- Art: Children will create their own foil sculpture of their own praying hands.
- Games: Children will learn some of the vocabulary of the Lord's Prayer by playing the "How Few Can You Do" game and a match game.
- Computer: Children will explore the meaning of the Lord's Prayer using Galilee Flyer software.
- Cooking: Children will make Prayer Cinnamon Biscuits as they learn about the different types of prayer.
- Prayer Stations: Children will experience different types of prayer as they move to different prayer stations.
Scripture References:
Luke 11:1-4, Matthew 6:9-15
Lesson Objectives:
- Children will retell the story in their own words - disciples asking Jesus to teach them to pray as he did.
- Children will locate the story in the New Testament (Matthew and Luke for older children).
- Children will explain what prayer is and why it is important.
- Children will explore the different types of prayer.
- Children will explain the Lord’s Prayer in their own words.
- Older children will explore and begin to use the Lord’s Prayer as an outline or pattern for their prayers.
- Children will memorize The Lord’s Prayer.
Lord's Prayer Bible Background and Information:
It seems strange that Jewish disciples would have ask Jesus "HOW" to pray or "WHAT" to pray for. It just goes to show you how much they knew after spending time with Jesus that they didn't really know anything! Matthew and Luke present Jesus as needing to "correct" people's prayers -- particularly pointing out those of the self-righteous as the "wrong-kind-of-righteousness" when it comes to praying. Apparently they had been loud and proud in their prayers, full of lofty words and praying for the wrong things. So while we want to teach the "WHAT WORDS" of the Lord's Prayer, we must also teach the "HOW TO" (and how-not-to) of prayer.
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 each week 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.” Now, the disciples asked many things of Jesus, but this request was the most significant one they ever made of him. 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!
Types of Prayer
There are different types of prayer and acronyms abound to help us remember them. Some of these include: ACTS (Adoration and Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication), PRAY (Praise and Thanks, Repent, Ask, Yield). Variations of a Hand Prayer provide an easy way to teach the types of prayer to children. (I have adapted this and have used it for many years to teach the types of prayer to children.) Basically each finger stands for one type of prayer, plus silence or “listening” prayer in the palm of the hand. The types include:
- Praise
- Thanksgiving
- Forgiveness/Confession
- Intercession – for others
- Petition – for me
- Listening in silence – being still, listening for God’s voice
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 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 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. (Remind the children to think back to the Baal worshipers on Mt. Carmel with their frenzied cries and prayers) 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.
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. It reminds us to focus on other’s needs, not just our own.
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.
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.
And forgive us our trespasses (debts), as we forgive those who trespass against us…
Debts, trespasses, sins… various denominations use these words interchangeably. We use the word trespass. 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. (Regardless, we “say” trespasses when we pray this corporately…. Maybe we should petition the UMC about this!)
We all sin. We miss the mark. We disobey God. We fall short. 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 than 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 Greek reading can mean either. The word Satan means adversary. Originally, Satan was not thought to be an evil character; he simply served as man’s adversary in the courts of God. The Greek word for devil means slanderer. The goal of the Evil One is to break the relationship between God and man – to separate them for all eternity. William Barclay writes, “The Evil One is the personification of all that is against God and all that is out to ruin man in this life and in the life to come…Whether the force is personal or impersonal, it is there.” 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.
For thine is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever…
The epilogue or last phrase of the Lord’s Prayer was not part of the original prayer Jesus gave to his disciples. Rather it was added by the early Church following Jesus’ death and resurrection. These words were written in response to their experiences during those exciting days. The words of David are very similar, “Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty…. Thine is the kingdom, O Lord and thou art exalted as head above all.” (1 Chronicles 29:11) Similar language is found in the Psalms, “All thy works shall give thanks to thee, O Lord, and all thy saints shall bless thee! They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom and tell of thy power,” (Psalm 145:10-13) Possibly, the wording came from Paul in his letter to the Romans, “…For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him, be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36) Whatever the exact source or sources, it is clear that the early Christians were merely adding their own personal testimony to the words of Jesus. They had been on the inside of this prayer, they had seen the Kingdom and the power and the glory and they knew that it all came from the Father.
Kingdom - We are reminded that this is what it’s all about – living for the kingdom, working for the kingdom, keeping the kingdom within our hearts.
Power - The Greek word for power is dunamis (our word dynamite and dynamic are derivatives). As we close, we remember the dynamic power of God who hears and answers all our prayers.
Glory – the word glory is often misunderstood. We use it to mean fame or honor, but when used in the Bible, glory belongs to God alone. It means God’s presence being made known here on earth. In Old Testament times God’s glory was revealed in the burning bush and the pillar of fire that guided the Hebrews at night. In the New Testament God is made known through his Son, Jesus Christ.
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.
FYI:
Thy/Thine – In Old English, when you spoke to someone who was a stranger or a formal acquaintance, you used the forms Ye/Your (Hear Ye, Hear Ye for example). When talking with a family member or a close friend, you used the words Thee/Thou. Now, “You” has become the word used for all acquaintances. We don’t use “thee” at all except for one place – the King James Bible! These Old English words were kept because they seemed to show God greater respect. The ironic thing is the original meaning was the exact opposite! So to be true to the original meaning we should change the words to you/your or understand that the words Thee/Thy actually are intended to be more familial and intimate!
Possible Lord's Prayer Discussion Questions:
- Why did Jesus teach this prayer to his disciples? (they asked him, he knew it was important for them)
- What does this prayer tell us about God’s nearness to us? Is God near? Or distant?
- Explain the meanings of the words in the Lord’s Prayer:
- When do you pray?
- Has prayer ever made a difference in your life? When and how?
- Why do we pray to God? (We were created to live with God and to be close to God. Prayer helps us know God better)
- What do we do when we pray? (we praise God, we thank God, we say we are sorry, we pray for the needs of others and ourselves and we are still and listen for God).
- What are the types of prayers we can pray?
- See FAQs for more questions kids probably have!
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 these 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 does 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 all-powerful 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.”
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.
Take the following emotions, write them on slips of paper and put them in a basket or hat. Then have students draw a slip out and "act it out" using only their hands. No facial expressions or sounds. They may use their hands to create an action, such as one hand helping another.
As you read Matthew 9:6-13 aloud, pause to invite students to POSE THEIR HANDS in a way that describes certain words. Make suggestions that help them think about the meaning of the word and act of prayer.
Share the Story of Albrecht Durer and the Praying Hands
