Leader Guide

Prayer

Repeat the SuperTruth: “Jesus fulfilled God’s plan of salvation by dying on the cross.”

Have children look up Mark 14:33-41 in their Bibles.

In our Bible story, Jesus was troubled about what was to take place next in God’s plan—His arrest, trial and crucifixion.

Optional: have volunteers read aloud, one verse at a time. Mark 14:33-41:

³³ He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He became deeply troubled and distressed. ³⁴ He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” ³⁵ He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting Him might pass Him by. ³⁶ “Abba, Father,” He cried out, “everything is possible for You. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.” ³⁷ Then He returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with Me even one hour?” ³⁸ “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  ³⁹ Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. ⁴⁰ When He returned to them again, He found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say. ⁴¹ When He returned to them the third time, He said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

Jesus knew He would soon be betrayed, arrested, beaten, and put to death on the cross. He took His closest disciples with Him to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. What an opportunity for these men to show their love and devotion to Jesus by being with Him to pray! Instead, the Bible tells us that the disciples couldn’t stay awake! This must have deeply disappointed Jesus!

Have you ever wanted someone to “be there” and support you when you were going through a trial or difficult time? I know I have! We have a wonderful opportunity to strengthen others with our presence and prayers of support and encouragement.

Often when we face a difficult situation, the first thing we pray is something like, “Please God, fix this or make this go away.” Smile. 

“I just want this to be over, NOW!” We are to pray for God’s help and protection, as Jesus did in the verses we just read! But first and foremost, He prayed for God’s will to be done! We always need to seek God’s will when we pray for ourselves or someone else. In our challenge each week, we are learning to make God’s will our Number One priority over our own will when we pray.

Encourage the children to find a place in the room where they can have a private prayer with God. Encourage them to pray for a situation that they are facing or a decision they must make. Ask the children to pray for God’s will over their own will. Encourage the children to then pray for their families and other children in the room today. Stop by each child and offer a short prayer of encouragement for them.

Close with a group prayer: Father God, please help us to always seek Your will in our lives. Thank You, Jesus, for willingly coming from heaven to Earth to fulfill Father God’s plan of salvation for us by living a sinless life and dying on the cross! In Your name we pray, Amen.