Talking to God is a powerful way to find relief from worry and anxiety Philippians 4
Hey Kids! Have you ever had a “yucky” feeling in your tummy because you were nervous about a test? Or maybe you couldn’t sleep because you were worried about something that happened at school?
That feeling is called worry. It feels like carrying a heavy backpack full of rocks everywhere you go. It’s heavy, it’s tiring, and it makes it hard to have fun.
But guess what? God has a secret weapon for us in the Bible! It’s found in Philippians 4:6–7.
Scripture Focus: Philippians 4:6–7, 1 Peter 5:7
Key Truth: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” — 1 Peter 5:7
The Golden Rule of Prayer
The Bible says:
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace…”
The “Worry” Problem
Start by asking the children: “What does it feel like when you are worried?” Explain that worry feels like a heavy backpack or a knot in your stomach. Use a visual aid, like a clear jar of water. Drop in some dirt or glitter and stir it up. Tell them, “This is what our minds feel like when we worry—cloudy and messy.”
How to Do the “Peace Exchange”
Bible Verse: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7, KJV)
Understanding “The Peace that Passes Understanding”
Kids often ask, “What does ‘passeth all understanding’ mean?” Teaching Illustration: Imagine it is raining outside, but you are inside a warm house with a fireplace. Even though the storm is still happening, you feel safe and calm. That is God’s peace. It doesn’t mean the problem goes away instantly; it means God makes your heart feel safe while you wait for the storm to pass.
The Solution: Pray About Everything
Explain that God doesn’t want us to carry that mess alone. Philippians 4:6 tells us exactly what to do:
- “Be careful for nothing”: This means “Don’t be full of anxiety or worry.”
- “By prayer and supplication”: Just talk to God! Tell Him exactly what is wrong.
- “With thanksgiving”: Even when we are sad, we can thank God for being with us.
The Promise: Peace Like a Guard
When we give God our worries, something amazing happens. He gives us a Peace Exchange. We give Him the “mess,” and He gives us His “peace.” This peace is like a soldier (a guard) standing at the door of our hearts and minds to keep the bad thoughts out.
Here is how you can do the “Peace Exchange” in three easy steps:
1. Stop and Tell Him 🗣️
God is the best listener in the universe. You can talk to Him while you’re brushing your teeth, riding the bus, or lying in bed. You don’t need fancy words! Just say, “God, I’m scared about my math test,” or “Lord, I’m sad because my friend was mean today.
2. Don’t Forget the “Thank You”! 🦃
Even when things are scary, there is always something to be happy about. Thanking God reminds us how big He is!
- “Thank You for my dog.”
- “Thank You for a yummy lunch.”
- “Thank You that You are always with me.”
3. Let the “Heart Guard” Step In 🛡️
The Bible says that when we pray, God’s peace will guard our hearts and minds. Imagine a strong soldier standing at the door of your heart with a shield. When a “worry thought” tries to sneak in, the Peace Guard says, “Nope! Not today! God is in control here.”
The Craft Idea: “The Prayer & Peace Mailbox”
This craft gives kids a physical way to “give” their worries to God and “receive” His peace.
Materials Needed:
- A small cardboard box (like a tissue box or a small shipping box) for each child.
- Construction paper (various colors).
- Scissors and glue.
- Markers or crayons.
- Small slips of paper.
- Heart stickers or “Peace” labels.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Decorate the Box: Have the kids wrap their box in bright construction paper. Label the front: “Pray About Everything!”
- Add the Verse: Print out Philippians 4:6–7 and glue it to the back or side of the box so they can memorize it at home.
- Create “Worry Slips”: On small pieces of paper, have them draw or write things that make them feel “careful” (anxious)—like a test at school, a dark room, or a fight with a friend.
- The Peace Hearts: Give them heart-shaped cutouts. On these, write words like: Joy, Quiet, Trust, Love, and Calm.
- The Activity: Have the children fold their “Worry Slips” and put them into the box. This represents giving them to God. Then, have them pull out a “Peace Heart” to keep in their pocket as a reminder of God’s promise.
Creative Corner: The “Worry Jar” Activity
Want to see how this works at home? Try this:
- Find a Jar: Any old jam jar or plastic container will do.
- Write it Down: On a small piece of paper, write or draw one thing that makes you worried.
- Drop it In: Put it in the jar and say, “God, I’m giving this to You.”
- Walk Away: Once it’s in the jar, you don’t have to carry it anymore! Go play, laugh, and remember that God is taking care of it.
The Four Parts of Prayer (A.C.T.S. for Kids)
Teach them how to talk to God using this simple tool:
- A – Adoration: “God, You are so big and powerful!”
- C – Confession: “I am sorry for being mean to my brother today.”
- T – Thanksgiving: “Thank You for my family and my dinner.”
- S – Supplication: “Please help me not to be scared for my doctor’s visit tomorrow.”
Group Discussion Questions
- Does God care about small worries, like a lost toy? (Yes! He says “in everything“).
- What happens to our “cloudy water” jar when we stop stirring it and let God take over? (The dirt settles, and the water becomes clear again).
- Who is the “Guard” of our hearts? (Christ Jesus).
Sample Instructions for the Worksheet
To tie everything together, you can create a worksheet for the kids to take home.
“Dear Student, whenever you feel worried this week, write it on a slip of paper and put it in your Prayer Box. Then, say a prayer of thanks to God. Remember: He is guarding your heart!”
Polished Parent/Teacher Communication
If you are sending this home to parents, you can use the polite tone we practiced earlier:
“I am happy to share our latest lesson on Philippians 4:6–7! This week, the children learned how to turn their worries into prayers. They have created a ‘Prayer & Peace Mailbox’ to help them practice this at home. I hope this craft is a blessing to your family as you grow in faith together!”
Something to Remember:
Prayer isn’t just for big emergencies. God wants to hear about EVERYTHING! If it’s big enough to worry about, it’s big enough to pray about.
A Prayer You Can Say Right Now:
“Dear God, thank You for loving me so much. Sometimes I feel worried and my ‘backpack’ feels heavy. Right now, I give You my worries about [fill in the blank]. Thank You for being my Peace Guard today. In Jesus’ name, Amen!”
Level Up: 4-Week Children’s Ministry Curriculum (January 2026
Week 3 — The Ultimate Cheat Code: Prayer
Bible Story: Pray about everything (Philippians 4:6–7)
Key Discovery: I can talk to God about anything; He gives peace.
Takeaway: I can always: Pray first and receive God’s peace and power.