Leader Guide

Prayer

In the Bible story, what had Elizabeth and Zechariah prayed for? A child.

Why do you think it might have seemed impossible for this prayer to be answered? See Luke 1:7. Elizabeth was unable to have children and now they were both very old—past childbearing age.

Read Luke 1:13–14:

But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer. Your wife, Elizabeth, will give you a son, and you are to name him John. You will have great joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.

What wonderful news that Gabriel brought to Zechariah. God heard their prayers, and His answer was a baby boy! There would be much joy and gladness at his birth.

Is there something today that seems difficult or even impossible? Do you face an assignment at school that you think you can’t do? Or do you have a problem at home that you think is impossible to fix? Remember, nothing is impossible with God!

Ask the children to pray silently about anything that seems difficult or impossible to them, and then believe that God will answer their prayers.

Close in prayer: Dear God, as Mary, Elizabeth and Zechariah learned, nothing is impossible with You. We agree together in faith for each other today. As the incense in the temple rose to heaven—our prayers rise to You today. We believe You not only hear us, You also answer. In Jesus’ name, Amen!