- Have children read Genesis 18:16-33. Even though Abraham knew Sodom was wicked, he prayed for mercy. Point out that Abraham's humble attitude showed a willingness to accept God's will, but a boldness to pray and a persistence to continue praying until God told him to stop. Talk to students about recognizing a need, but praying with God's ultimate will in mind. Based on the passage in Genesis, have the students write a skit of a conversation between God and Abraham using email or texting as the prayer communication medium.
- Have the children make a circle. One person is the caller. Tell the children when the caller calls out "Pharisee," they are to act arrogant. When the caller calls "humble," they are to bow their heads as in prayer. Have the caller start slow, eliminating children who do the wrong action.
Explain that prayers of mercy start with attitude. Have students alternately read the verses of Luke 18:9-14. Talk about the Pharisee and his attitude---arrogant, thinking he's "all that," and that he's better than everyone else. He's praying, but doesn't believe he needs mercy. His prayer is all about himself. Talk about the tax collectors. Tax collectors were not well liked. Many of them cheated those from whom they received taxes. Ask about the tax collector's attitude--humble. He realized he wasn't good at all and that only God is good. He recognized his need for mercy. Discuss the results of the prayers of both men. - Read Matthew 18:21-25 about the man who begged his master to forgive his debt, yet refused to extend mercy to a fellow servant who owed him a smaller debt. Talk about God's willingness to forgive us when we pray for mercy. Share that He expects us to show the same mercy to others. Have children share times parents or friends have forgiven them when they asked for mercy. Discuss what to do if someone steals something from them or says bad things about them. Have the children color or draw a picture to illustrate the story. Add the text "Jesus is happy when we show mercy to others."
- Read Luke 15:11-32 about the son who demanded his inheritance and wasted it. When he was starving, he decided he would plead with his father for mercy. What he received was total forgiveness. Praying for mercy means we're willing to admit we're wrong. God loves us and wants to extend mercy. He waits for us to ask for His mercy. Explain that no matter what bad things we do, God is always ready to forgive when we realize we goofed up. When we ask Him to forgive, we're praying for mercy. Print out coloring sheets of the story on card stock. Have children color the picture. Cut the picture into five to twelve pieces, depending upon the ages of the children. Mix up the puzzle pieces and let the children put them together.
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