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Prayer
I can ask God to help others.
Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you.
Psalm 50:15
Brian was sprawled on the floor watching the basketball playoffs on tv. The program was
suddenly interrupted for an important news flash. A serious-faced announcer reported,
"Strong earthquakes have shaken a string of small Pacific islands. Thousands are homeless."
While the reporter was talking, pictures of the destruction flashed onto the screen. People were
walking around in a daze amid the rubble of their homes. Small children were crying for their
parents and hurt people were lying on the sides of the roads waiting for help.
"Man, I really don't like this," Brian said to his dad.
"This is a major news story," Mr. Clark explained. "The basketball game will be
back on soon."
Brian interrupted, "I don't care about the game right now. Seeing that news flash made me feel
scared and sad. I hate hearing and seeing about terrible things. Maybe if I never watched tv it
would be better."
"Well, I don't think you'll do that," his father answered. "Not watching tragedies and bad news
on tv won't improve anything. As long as there's sin in the world, all kinds of terrible things
will keep right on happening. But there's one thing we can do about it."
"What's that?" Brian asked.
Mr. Clark continued, "We can pray for peace in trouble. God promises to hear our prayers and
help those in need. Let's pray for the earthquake victims right now."
Brian and his father bowed their heads to ask God to help the earthquake victims.
Your Turn
1. How do you feel when you hear or read distressing news stories?
_______________________________________________________
2. How can you help people you don't know?
_______________________________________________________
Prayer
Merciful Father, please help people that have trouble. Help me to know what I can do to help
others. Amen
Praying for Others
God promises to hear our prayers and to help those who are in need. If you read about someone
in the newspaper or hear about someone on tv who needs God's help, pray for him or her. You
can pray for anyone, even people you don't know. God knows everyone in the whole world. He
wants us to pray for each other and for anyone who has trouble. Fill in the blanks of the prayer
below. Use it as you pray for others, or make up your own prayer.
Dear God,
Sometimes I feel sad or scared or angry when I hear or read about all the terrible things that
happen in the world. Today I want to pray for _______________________________________
because this has happened to them: ______________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________.
Please help them and be with them. Thank you, God, for Your love for all people.
In Jesus' name
Amen
