We cannot emphasize enough how important prayer is in our lives, and children need to understand this as early as possible. Sometimes we make the mistake of viewing prayer as a series of requests or a very formal practice, but we want to remember and teach that prayer should be a constant in our lives. God wants to hear from us and we can tell Him anything and everything. This lesson considers the encouragement we find in James, urging us to pray in all circumstances. We manage life’s challenges in a variety of ways, but should always handle with prayer!
God has given us a wonderful treasure in prayer. Because of Jesus, we have direct connection with the master of the universe! We can come directly to God and communicate with Him whatever is on our hearts. Sometimes we don’t know how to come up with the right words to pray, but we know He helps us with that, too. We can rest assured that He cares for us and is with us always.
Sunday School Lesson on James 5:13-20 for Children: Pray for Each Other
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade
Materials Needed: Construction paper, markers, stickers, scissors, tape/glue, envelopes, string/pipe cleaner, cups or jars, popsicle sticks, things we might use in challenging situations, stickers/decorations, Bibles.
Lesson Opening: This lesson focuses on a short but important passage of Scripture that reminds us of the importance and power of prayer. Here are a few suggestions to kick things off and get students thinking about what it means to pray.
- Who are you talking to? Present kids with examples of a few different kinds of people they might talk to (coach, boss, friend, small child, parent, etc.). Have the students take turns acting out the scenarios and have other children guess who the “audience” is meant to be. Point out that we sometimes speak differently according to who we talk to. How should we speak when talking to God?
- Communication? Play a communication game like telephone or Pictionary, to illustrate ways we communicate. Emphasize how prayer is communication with God.
- Thanksgiving hot potato! Prayer is not just about asking for things, but thanking God for the blessings He gives us. Working in a circle, take turns with students rapidly citing things specifically that they are thankful for. To make it more challenging, limit the time to come up with an item, or toss a ball or other item while reciting thankful things.
- Look at other parts of the Bible that include prayers, such as the Lord’s Prayer or the Psalms. Emphasize the importance of prayer in our daily lives, and remind students that there are many ways we can pray.
- Prayer reminder tags: Before the end of the lesson, provide students with small stickers or tags to take home. Encourage them to place the stickers in various places that they’ll see often (lunchbox, bathroom mirror, closet, etc.) as reminders to pause and say a prayer.
Prepare to dive into God’s Word and what it has to say about the power and importance of prayer. Remind students that God cares for us and gives us the opportunity to come to Him with our wants and needs, as well as our praises and thanks.
Bible Lesson: James 5:13-20 Explained for Children – Confess your Sins to One Another and Pray for One Another
Use whatever translation best suits you and your audience. This passage is not very lengthy, but contains some important truths to stay mindful of. Read the verses one or two at a time. Older students could take turns reading off verses, while you will want to pause and explain for younger participants.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. -James 5:13-14
Explain to students that this passage comes from the epistle of James, which was a letter to the Christian church written by a brother of Jesus (not to be confused with James the apostle). Here, James describes the ways and reasons that we should pray. If we’re sad, we can talk to God. If we’re happy, we can sing praises to Him. If we are sick or need help, we can ask others to pray for us, too. Emphasize that God wants us to pray not only when we need something or before meals, but all the time and for all things.
Ask: How do you normally pray? When do you pray? Does your family have any special prayers or practices that you do together?
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. -James 5:15-16
Point out here that there are times when God says “no” and we might not receive the kind of healing we hoped for. This doesn’t mean that we don’t have faith or don’t have enough faith. We don’t understand God’s will and ways, and need to pray that He would act in ways best for us, even if not what we’d prefer. Ultimately, though, God heals us from sin and promises eternal life with Him one day. It is important that we pray no matter what is going on in our lives. And James also points out the importance of confessing our sins to one another (and to God), so that we can be forgiven.
Ask: Have you ever seen God do something specific after you prayed for it? Have you ever prayed for something and not received it right away?
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. -James 5:17-20
Elijah is given here as a great example of someone who prayed powerfully. He was such a man of faith that he prayed and saw the weather change as a result! Note, of course, that Elijah was a prophet called by God. He was a human just like us, and Elijah wasn’t the one who stopped the rain. He just had a close connection with the Guy in charge of the clouds. God can (although that doesn’t mean He always will) alter the weather through our prayers, too.
James finishes things off by reminding the people of the importance of accountability. We are to not only pray for others, but remind them of when they are heading in the wrong direction. Again, it is God who works in our souls, but He allows us to be vessels that help complete His work as we interact with other people.
Ask: What do you pray for, and how do you usually pray? Do you pray for other people?
Here are a couple more excellent verses on prayer to share:
Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
This is a great reminder that we can pray anytime, anywhere, for anything, and also a helpful note on giving thanks to God.
Sometimes we don’t know the words or how to pray. But God can fill in the blanks through His Spirit:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose. -Romans 6:26-28
This is a comforting thought indeed! No matter how, for what, or for whom we are praying, God knows our hearts and hears us. Sometimes prayer can seem challenging or even confusing for kids. Remind them that God wants to hear from His beloved children, and will be present with us through all of our needs. We don’t have to have any special or perfect words. We can pray for all people, at all times, in all circumstances, and know our Father will respond.
Pray: Say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for hearing our prayers and allowing us to come to Him. Ask for His help in keeping His presence first in life and loving others.
The Power of Prayer James 5:5:13-20 Activities for Children
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