Prayer

Have children sit on the floor in a circle. If you asked people if they would like to be prosperous, they would probably say yes. Some people are selfish and only want more things for themselves. Other people desire to be kind and generous to others.

Read 2 Corinthians 9:10–11:

For God is the One who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, He will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God.

This is part of a letter from the apostle Paul to the believers in Corinth. Why did Paul say God would give them even more resources? So they could always be generousto others!

Yes, He wanted to produce a great harvest of generosity in them! So then, what would be the result of their generous gifts? They would thank God!

God would receive the credit or glory! The reason God wants to prosper us is not so we accumulate more and selfishly keep it to ourselves. He blesses us so that we may always be generous; so that we share with others and provide for their needs!

Today in our prayer time, silently sit in God’s presence for a few moments and ask Him to prosper you in some way that you might help someone. Remember, it doesn’t always need to be money. It could be with your time, your talent or ability, or your knowledge, too. Pray for God’s heart and compassion, and the opportunity to generously bless and help someone.

Give the children a minute to pray silently, then close in prayer.

Dear God, help us to be like the Samaritan in Jesus’ parable. We want to show what a generous God You are! We pray You would bless us so that we may be a blessing! In Jesus’ name, Amen!