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Answers to Prayer

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 14, 1912

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 89, No. 46.

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Answers to Prayer

Lesson for the Children—No. 8

Answers to Prayer

MEMORY TEXT: “And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” 1 John 5:15.
This closing meeting should be a glad one. The children may be permitted to tell of blessings given and of answers to prayer received during the week. Thanksgiving should be expressed for promises and blessings.
“We do not pray any too much, but we are too sparing of giving thanks.”
Encourage the children to form the prayer habit. They should not receive the impression that during this week they have done their praying for a year, but they should continue to pray regularly, fervently, every day, and in faith.
Some may be discouraged and think God has not heard them pray because they do not see answers to their prayers immediately. Cite the case of Elijah praying seven times (1 Kings 18:42-45). Daniel prayed three weeks before the answer came (Dan. 10: 2, 3, 12).
Children must early learn to submit the will to God. “We know not what we should pray for as we ought.” “We sometimes ask for things that would not be a blessing to us, and our Heavenly Father in love answers our prayers by giving us that which will be for our highest good.” “To claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the particular thing that we desire is presumption.”—“Steps to Christ,” pages 110, 111.
The mother answers her child when she says No, the same as when she says Yes. God answered Moses’ prayer when he said No. Deut. 3:23, 25-27. Jesus answered the man who prayed to be with him, when “he suffered him not.”
“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God.” We should continue to pray in faith till God says, “Speak no more unto me of this matter.”
If some have received answers to prayer during the week, let them relate the circumstances briefly. If none have such experience, examples may be selected from the Bible, if there is time.
The children may name the things for which they are thankful, and the teacher may suggest that in secret prayer they say “Thank you” to God, while they continue to pray for further blessings.