I Can Pray From My Heart

Host

Welcome to the Lab!

Co-Host

Am I? I am practically aquiver with anticipation over the forthcoming service.

Host

Are you speaking English? Aquiver?

Co-Host

That means I’m practically trembling. That’s how I excited I am to be here at the Lab.

Host

Have (to the audience) you ever used aquiver before? Neither have I. Why couldn’t you just say, “I’m really excited?”

Co-Host

I wanted to jazz it up a bit. That’s what Skip suggested to me.

Host

I don’t think he’s a great person to take advice from, but since we’re talking about big words, let’s play a game. We’ll show you a big word, and you have to decide which of the two options is a synonym, which means the same thing.

Co-Host

Do you think I should keep using words like that?

Host

If that’s who you naturally are, sure, but you don’t have to. Some people think that God only likes to hear big words. That’s what we’re going to dig into today, but first let’s stop by the lab.

Co-Host

I’m definitely not going to listen to Skip any longer. Did you hear the advice he gave Slater?

Host

Do you think that Slater’s problem is that his prayers sound too boring?

Co-Host

I don’t think that has anything to do with it either.

Host

Let’s see what our Big Point says about prayer. I need a volunteer to help us reveal it.

Co-Host

We are going to count down from 3 and then you can read the Big Point.

Host

Let’s all say it together, I Can Pray From My Heart!

Co-Host

What does that mean? Do you think we’re talking about our actual, physical heart that pumps blood to keep you alive?

Host

You’re right. Most times, when the Bible talks about our heart, it means that invisible part of us that can connect with God. It’s where our thoughts and attitudes come from.

Co-Host

Praying from your heart means that your prayers come from who you really are on the inside.

Host

Your prayer should be uniquely, authentically you. It should reflect your thoughts and words. Let’s test your ability to determine if something is the real deal or not.

Co-Host

We have some different snacks and drinks on the table. For each snack, one is the name brand snack and the other is the store brand. We’ll have each kid taste test both and give us their answer.

Host

Store brands try to imitate the original, and they can be pretty tasty snacks on their own. I often buy them myself. But they never quite have the authentic taste of the original.

Co-Host

God doesn’t want you to imitate the prayers of someone else. He wants you to pray a prayer that uses your own words and way of speaking and expresses what’s in your heart. God can tell when we’re being ourselves and when we’re faking it.

Host

God always prefers the “real” us over being fake. Let’s just hope Slater learns that before Skip takes it too far.

Host

Slater is really confused. Does he even sound remotely similar to his normal self?

Co-Host

He’s trying to sound British, but not doing it well. I don’t know why he won’t believe the Big Point. Let’s say it again,

Co-Host

I Can Pray From My Heart!

Host

Let’s turn to the Bible and learn our Big Verse.

Co-Host

Help us count down from three, and then read the verse.

Co-Host

James 5:16 (NIrV) says, “The prayer of a godly person is powerful.” This is when it’s helpful to understand what that word, “godly,” means.

Host

It doesn’t mean that you are god. There’s only one God. Being a godly person means that you are totally willing to do whatever God wants you to do.

Co-Host

That means you pray the kinds of things that God wants you to pray. But why would that make your prayers more powerful?

Host

Maybe this visual will help. I need a friend to come help us. (Choose a kid volunteer) I’m going to place you on one side (of the object), and (Co-Host) will be on the other side. When I say, “Go,” you will both push. Let’s see if you can move the (object) to the other side of the stage.

Co-Host

It didn’t move. Why? (Pause) Of course, we were pushing against each other. That’s what happens when you try to pray things that don’t match what God wants. You’re fighting against God. Not much can happen.

Host

A godly person prays what God wants. That’s like working together with God. Both of you get on the same side, and push. (The object moves) See the difference?

Co-Host

God wants us to pray from our hearts. He also wants our hearts to follow His Word and His ways.

Host

If you pray something that goes against what God wants, your answer may be different than what you expect. We want to be real and authentic and follow God’s way. Keep that in mind during our Big Story. First let’s stand and worship God.

Your prayer could be as simple as saying, “God, I had a really great day today. My friends were nice to me, and I did great on my test. Thank you for helping me remember my multiplication table. My grandmother isn’t feeling well today. Will you please help her feel better? I think it’s so cool that you can do that. I also need some help being nice to my brother. Will you please help me with that, too? Thanks. Talk to you later.” It’s that easy to pray. God loves to talk to you, so just be yourself and chat away. In fact, since we know, we can talk to God anytime and anywhere, just using our own words, I’m going to give you a couple of minutes to do that. The music will play softly, no one is going to disturb you, and you can chat with God.

Co-Host

I’m glad that Slater decided to ignore Skip and pray from his heart.

Host

That was a way better choice. We don’t need to try to impress God like the Pharisee did in the Big Story. God already loves you. That’s why you can be like the tax collector and follow the Big Point,

Host

I Can Pray From My Heart!

Co-Host

That’s a story you can share with your family when you do this week’s Big Do.

Host

This week, volunteer to pray before one of your family’s meals. When you do pray, just use your own words and pray a sincere prayer.

Co-Host

Let’s see if you can practice putting things into your own words. We’re going to list some different things, and we want you to describe it in your own words in 10 seconds, as if you were explaining it to an alien who had never visited earth.

Host

You did a good job explaining those things in your own words. You can use your own words whenever you pray. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about prayer.

• Have you ever been nervous to pray in front of other people? Why? Do you ever worry what people will think about your prayers?

• What did the Pharisee do that was wrong? He was prideful and looked down on the tax collector while thinking God was impressed by him. What did the tax collector do right? He was humble and sincere in his prayer.

• Why do you think that it’s important to pray in a godly way? So that our prayers agree with what God wants, so we can receive answers and celebrate when God does good things for us and others

• What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do? Pray for a meal your family eats, using your own words

• Our Big Point says I Can Pray From My ______!

  • Brain

  • Heart

• What did Skip tell Slater to change in his prayer?

  • His accent

  • His heart

• The Big Story focused on two guys who prayed at the temple: the Pharisee and the _______.

  • Priest

  • Tax Collector

• The Pharisee was ______ in his prayer.

  • Humble

  • Prideful

• Whose prayer pleased God?

  • Pharisee

  • Tax Collector

• James 5:16 (NIrV), “The prayer of a godly person is _______.”

  • Weak

  • Powerful

• Why is it important to pray using your own words?

• A godly person is someone who tells God what to do when praying.

  • True

  • False

• What would you say to someone who thought they had to impress God with their prayer?

• What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do? Pray for a meal your family eats this week in your own words