Added on 20 May 2009
Aim
To bring The Lord's Prayer to life.
Introduction
How many of you know or have recited The Lord's Prayer? What is the first line? Do you know how it came into existence?
In the time of Jesus people thought there were all sorts of ways to pray. The Priests demanded animal sacrifices and would cry out loudly to the Lord so that everyone could hear them.
Prophets would teach their followers to rip their clothes, lay flat on the ground for 2 hours and praise God continuously!
The disciples noticed this and asked Jesus how they should pray and he taught the the Lord's Prayer which is recorded in the Bible.
We're going to listen as someone says the Lord's Prayer at the beginning of their day.
Dramatic Reading
This ornamnet sits in my lounge at home. (Ask a child to read it).
It says "prayer changes things" and everyone in ACTS2 believes that.
It's no good just reciting the words if we don't mean what we are saying. What did the person saying the prayer get wrong (get children to answer, looking for "not forgiving Peter Brown")
But what about us? Can we pray "Father forgive them" if we are still angry with our Mum or Dad, Brother or Sister, best friend, teacher or even someone who has just made us cross in the playground?
In a minute we are going to say the Lord's Prayer (the words will be on the screen) but before we do think if there is someone you need to forgive. Someone who you shouldn't be looking to "get back". If there is think about that person as you say the prayer. You will feel better for it.
The Lord's Prayer
Let's say the prayer together.
Song
Prayer is like a telephone