Prayer

Elisha showed love to his enemies. As followers of Christ, why should we be willing to show love and mercy to others? Because God shows kindness, love, and mercy to us every day.

Have the two volunteers read Psalm 25:6–7 (nkjv):

⁶ Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they are from of old. ⁷Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord.

This is a psalm written by David, who was the king of Israel. What did he ask God to remember? That God was full of love, kindness, and mercy from the beginning of time.

What did David ask God to forget? David’s sin and disobedience.

David wanted God to forget his mistakes and sins because God is full of mercy and kindness. God has not changed since the beginning; He is still full of love, kindness and mercy. Because He shows love, kindness and mercy to us, we must show them to others—even our enemies!

Please bow your heads, close your eyes, and think of anyone who may not have shown you kindness or mercy. Then, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with God’s love, kindness and mercy so you may respond in a way pleasing to Him. Give children a few moments to pray silently.

Now, for the second part of our prayer time, Jesus told us to pray for those who persecute us. Take a moment to pray for anyone who may have treated you cruelly or unfairly. Ask God to change their hearts and to forgive them. Pause to allow children to pray.

Close in prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love, kindness, and tender mercies. Help us pray for those who persecute us and respond to them in the same way You respond to us—with kindness, love and mercy. We pray this in the name of Jesus, who loved us so much that He died to forgive us. Amen.