Free Bible lessons for kids · 12 lessons
Bible lessons about prayer for kids
Prayer is talking with God. In the Bible God’s people pray in every kind of moment, and God hears them: Hannah prays for a son, Daniel keeps praying when it is against the law, and Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven.”
12 Bible stories, one subject: prayer. Teach them as a series or one at a time; each lesson has its film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and game, all free.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”Philippians 4:6 (KJV)
- Lessons
- 12
- Passages
- Genesis 24:1–67, Exodus 2:11–25, Joshua 10:6–14, 1 Samuel 1:1–28, Daniel 6:1–28, Nehemiah 2:1–20, and more
- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Each lesson
- Story film (KJV), coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
- Cost
- Free: no subscription, no cost per child, no sign-up to teach
The lessons: 12 stories about prayer
A Bride for Isaac
Genesis 24:1–67 · story film
Abraham sent his eldest servant to his own kindred to find a wife for Isaac. At the well outside the city of Nahor the servant prayed for a sign, and before he had done speaking, Rebekah came with her pitcher, gave him drink and drew water for all his camels. The servant worshipped the LORD who had led him, Rebekah said, “I will go,” and Isaac took her to be his wife and loved her.
Big idea: God guides those who pray and trust Him.
Memory verse:
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)Ask: Where did the servant stop to pray? By a well of water outside the city of Nahor, at the time of the evening (Genesis 24:10–12).
Game: Ten Camels (about 10 minutes)
Moses Runs to Midian
Exodus 2:11–25 · story film
When Moses was grown, he went out to see the hard burdens of his people, and when he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, he tried to help in his own way and killed the Egyptian. Pharaoh sought to slay him, so Moses fled to the land of Midian, where he stood up for seven sisters at a well, married Zipporah, and kept sheep as “a stranger in a strange land.” Meanwhile the children of Israel cried out in their bondage, and God heard them and remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.
Big idea: God hears the cry of His people, and He never forgets His promises.
Memory verse:
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Psalm 34:15 (KJV)Ask: Why did Moses run away to Midian? Because Pharaoh heard what Moses had done and sought to slay him (Exodus 2:15).
Game: Sheep Herding (about 10 minutes)
The Sun Stands Still
Joshua 10:6–14 · story film
Five kings of the Amorites came against the city of Gibeon, which had made peace with Israel, and the men of Gibeon begged Joshua to come quickly and help. God told Joshua, “Fear them not,” and Joshua marched all night. Then Joshua prayed, “Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon,” and the sun stood still in the midst of heaven for about a whole day, for the LORD fought for Israel.
Big idea: The God who made the sun hears our prayers and fights for His people.
Memory verse:
And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
Joshua 10:14 (KJV)Ask: Who asked Joshua for help? The men of Gibeon (Joshua 10:6).
Game: Shadow Tag (about 10 minutes)
Hannah’s Prayer
1 Samuel 1:1–28 · story film
Every year Elkanah’s family went up to worship the LORD at Shiloh, and Hannah was very sad because she had no children. In the temple she prayed and wept, and she promised that if God gave her a son, she would give him to the LORD all the days of his life. Eli the priest said, “Go in peace,” God answered her prayer with baby Samuel, and when he was weaned Hannah brought him to the house of the LORD.
Big idea: We can pour out our hearts to God, and He hears our prayers.
Memory verse:
For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:
1 Samuel 1:27 (KJV)Ask: Why was Hannah so sad? She had no children (1 Samuel 1:2).
Game: Lip Reading (about 8 minutes)
Daniel in the Lions’ Den
Daniel 6:1–28 · story film
Daniel served King Darius so faithfully that the jealous princes could find no fault in him, so they had the king sign a law that for thirty days no one could ask a petition of any god or man except the king. Daniel still knelt at his open window three times a day to pray and give thanks, and he was cast into the den of lions. God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and in the morning Daniel was taken up unhurt, because he believed in his God.
Big idea: We can keep praying and trusting God, and He is able to deliver us.
Memory verse:
Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
Psalm 55:17 (KJV)Ask: How often did Daniel pray? Three times a day, kneeling at his open window toward Jerusalem (Daniel 6:10).
Game: Sleeping Lions (about 8 minutes)
Nehemiah Builds the Wall
Nehemiah 2:1–20 · 4:6–23 · 6:15–16 · story film
Nehemiah served the king of Persia, and he was sad because Jerusalem lay waste, its walls broken down and its gates burned with fire. He prayed to the God of heaven, the king sent him to build, and after he viewed the walls by night the people said, “Let us rise up and build.” When enemies mocked and threatened, they prayed, set a watch and worked with a sword by their side, and the wall was finished in fifty and two days.
Big idea: When God’s people pray and work together, God helps them finish His work.
Memory verse:
So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.
Nehemiah 4:6 (KJV)Ask: Why was Nehemiah sad before the king? Because Jerusalem lay waste and its gates were consumed with fire (Nehemiah 2:3).
Game: Build by Your House (about 12 minutes)
An Angel Visits Zacharias
Luke 1:5–25 · story film
While the priest Zacharias served in the temple, the angel Gabriel told him that he and Elisabeth would have a son named John. Because he did not believe, Zacharias could not speak until the promise came true.
Big idea: God hears our prayers, even the ones we have prayed for a long time.
Memory verse:
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.
Luke 1:13 (KJV)Ask: Where was Zacharias when the angel came? In the temple, burning incense (Luke 1:9).
Game: Silent Zacharias (about 10 minutes)
The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:5–15 · Luke 11:1–4 · story film
Jesus taught His disciples not to pray to be seen by others, but to talk to their Father in heaven, and He gave them a pattern for prayer.
Big idea: We can talk to God as our Father.
Memory verse:
After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Matthew 6:9 (KJV)Ask: Who did Jesus say we pray to? Our Father which art in heaven.
Game: Prayer Hand (about 12 minutes)
Waiting and Praying
Acts 1:12–26 · story film
The disciples went back to Jerusalem and prayed together in an upper room with the women and Jesus’ mother and brothers, waiting for the promise of the Holy Ghost.
Big idea: God’s people pray together while they wait.
Memory verse:
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Acts 1:14 (KJV)Ask: Where did the disciples gather? In an upper room in Jerusalem.
Game: Prayer Stations (about 15 minutes)
An Angel Frees Peter
Acts 12:1–19 · story film
King Herod put Peter in prison, chained between two soldiers. The church prayed without ceasing. An angel woke Peter, the chains fell off, and the iron gate opened by itself. Peter knocked at the door, and Rhoda was so glad she forgot to open it.
Big idea: God hears His people when they pray together.
Memory verse:
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
Acts 12:5 (KJV)Ask: What was the church doing while Peter was in prison? Praying without ceasing.
Game: Chains Fall Off (about 10 minutes)
Barnabas and Saul Are Sent
Acts 13:1–12 · story film
While the church at Antioch prayed and fasted, the Holy Ghost said to set apart Barnabas and Saul. They laid hands on them and sent them out on the first missionary journey.
Big idea: God sends people out to share the good news.
Memory verse:
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
Acts 13:2 (KJV)Ask: Which church sent out Barnabas and Saul? The church at Antioch.
Game: Two by Two (about 10 minutes)
In the Garden of Gethsemane
Matthew 26:36–56 · Mark 14:32–50 · Luke 22:39–53 · John 18:1–11 · story film
Jesus went to a garden called Gethsemane to pray. He asked Peter, James and John to watch with Him, but they fell asleep. Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but thine, be done,” and then He was arrested.
Big idea: Jesus chose to obey His Father, even when it was hard.
Memory verse:
Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Matthew 26:41 (KJV)Ask: What was the garden called? Gethsemane.
Game: Prayer Garden (about 15 minutes)
Tips for teaching prayer
- Preschool: Teach one short prayer line and pray it together with folded hands at the start and end of class.
- Elementary: Have each child name one thing to thank God for and one thing to ask Him for, then pray in turns.
- Preteens: Read the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) line by line and ask what each part teaches about who God is and what we need.
A 8-week series on prayer
| Week 1 | A Bride for Isaac (Genesis 24:1–67). God guides those who pray and trust Him. |
|---|---|
| Week 2 | Moses Runs to Midian (Exodus 2:11–25). God hears the cry of His people, and He never forgets His promises. |
| Week 3 | The Sun Stands Still (Joshua 10:6–14). The God who made the sun hears our prayers and fights for His people. |
| Week 4 | Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 1:1–28). We can pour out our hearts to God, and He hears our prayers. |
| Week 5 | Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:1–28). We can keep praying and trusting God, and He is able to deliver us. |
| Week 6 | Nehemiah Builds the Wall (Nehemiah 2:1–20). When God’s people pray and work together, God helps them finish His work. |
| Week 7 | An Angel Visits Zacharias (Luke 1:5–25). God hears our prayers, even the ones we have prayed for a long time. |
| Week 8 | The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:5–15). We can talk to God as our Father. |
Each week: welcome and pray, show the story film, talk through the questions, learn the memory verse, then color the page or do the class sheet.
Memory verses about prayer (KJV)
“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:6 · A Bride for Isaac
“The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.”
Psalm 34:15 · Moses Runs to Midian
“And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.”
Joshua 10:14 · The Sun Stands Still
“For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:”
1 Samuel 1:27 · Hannah’s Prayer
“Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”
Psalm 55:17 · Daniel in the Lions’ Den
“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.”
Nehemiah 4:6 · Nehemiah Builds the Wall
“But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.”
Luke 1:13 · An Angel Visits Zacharias
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.”
Matthew 6:9 · The Lord’s Prayer
Questions people ask
What does the Bible teach kids about prayer?
Prayer is talking with God. In the Bible God’s people pray in every kind of moment, and God hears them: Hannah prays for a son, Daniel keeps praying when it is against the law, and Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, “Our Father which art in heaven.” “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Philippians 4:6, KJV)
Which Bible stories teach prayer?
A Bride for Isaac (Genesis 24:1–67), Moses Runs to Midian (Exodus 2:11–25), The Sun Stands Still (Joshua 10:6–14), Hannah’s Prayer (1 Samuel 1:1–28), Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:1–28), and 7 more on this page.
How do I teach kids to pray?
Start with short, honest prayers in their own words: thanking God, telling Him what they need, and asking Him to help others. The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13) is the pattern Jesus gave His disciples.
How do I teach prayer to preschoolers?
Teach one short prayer line and pray it together with folded hands at the start and end of class.
Are these lessons free?
Yes. Every lesson, film, coloring page, class sheet and game is free for churches, families and schools, with no subscription, no cost per child and no sign-up needed to teach.
Which Bible translation is used?
The films and memory verses show the King James Version word for word. In the lessons you can switch the verses to the Berean Standard Bible, the ESV or dozens of other English Bibles, every verse is labelled with its translation, and tapping a verse on the film opens its whole chapter.
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