Prayer

Have children find a place in the room where they can pray silently with God.

Peter loved God very much. He was one of Jesus’ closest followers and friends. However, Peter failed Jesus by denying Him out of fear for his own life. There will be times when we fail, even though we love God and try very hard to obey Him. In those times, we may feel that the only thing we can do is run from God because we are ashamed, much like Peter was. Yet Jesus does not want us to run away from Him—He calls out to us so we will run toward Him! 

Ask the children to pray silently, telling Jesus about any times they may have sinned or made bad decisions. Have them ask God for His forgiveness and to receive His love, mercy and assurance that they will always be His children.

Allow a few moments for children to pray silently, then close in prayer.

Dear God, thank You for loving us and sending us the Good Shepherd, Jesus, to guide us and care for us. We praise You for loving us no matter how many times we fail. We are so glad that You are with us to strengthen us when we are weak, and that You have wonderful plans and purposes for us in Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Optional: Let me close by reading something Peter wrote in the Bible.

Read 2 Peter 1:2–3:

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the One who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence.