Praying For Others

Purpose:

In this active, yet personal youth lesson, students will learn the importance of praying for others, and realize that they know a lot of people who could use prayer. May be used with either middle school or high school students (and even older!).

Praying For Our Friends

“This may be the earliest of any of my songs to be used on a Crowns record. maybe 15 years old. I was heartbroken before God for a friend who wouldn’t listen. God showed me that nothing is impossible with God.” –Mark Hall

Scripture:

• Job 6:14
• Proverbs 12:26, 17:17, 18:24
• Luke 18:1-8
• Romans 14:19
• 1 Corinthians 15:33
• Ephesians 3:14-21
• Philippians 1:3-11, 2:2-4
• 1 Timothy 2:1
• 1 Peter 3:8
• 1 John 3:16

Materials Needed:

• Blank sheets of paper (with no lines)
• Pen (or something to write with)
• Recording of “Prayer for a Friend” by Casting Crowns

Activity:

1. As students arrive, give them each a blank sheet of copy paper (paper with no lines)
2. Have them each begin listing as many people’s names as possible. They should attempt to fill up completely one side of their paper with names of friends, relatives, or acquaintances).
3. Once they fill up their paper, have them write names in the margins, on top of other names, or anywhere else they can write. The only rule is that they must know (or have known) the person, and that person must be alive.
   • Rather than write down the names of the latest movie stars (unless they actually know that person), have them think about the people they pass at school, they see at band or ball practice, they see in the room now, etc..
   • The goal of this is to show students that they know quite a number of people
4. If possible, have students bring their completed pieces of paper to the front of the room and place them on a wall or board in front of your meeting area.
   • If possible, mount the papers on the area so that they’re touching each other.
5. With a large, red marker, write the words, “PEOPLE GOD LOVES” on top of the papers.
6. Play the song, “Prayer for a Friend” by Casting Crowns, and have students listen and pray for the names on their papers.

Reflect:

As you transition from your activity, ask if any of the names on the wall represent people who don’t have a relationship with Christ. The answer will probably be “yes”. We all have friends that need to know Jesus personally. Also, the wall probably contains the names of friends who have a relationship with Him, but are struggling and need prayer; friends who are walking daily with Jesus; and people who they don’t know more than seeing them in the hallways at school.

Share:

Share the following points with your students, adding your own illustrations and anecdotes to make this devotion personal to them:

• Thank God for your friends (Philippians 1:3-11)
• Pray for your friends’ strength (Ephesians 3:14-15)
• Stand by your friends through good and bad (Proverbs 17:17)
• Be a friend (Proverbs 18:24)
• Realize God can do anything (Ephesians 3:20-21)
• Live for Christ in front of and with your friends (1 John 3:16)

Quiet Time:

• Have the group spend some time praying for the names that they listed on their papers.
• In the background, play the song, “Prayer for a Friend” (you may want to have a few more slow songs afterwards for those who need more time).
• Afterwards, you may see other students who’ve finished, walk over to those still praying, and pray with them (or you may encourage it if some finish early).

The official Bible of Youth Pastor Plus is The Message//Remix, published by NavPress.
Devotionals written by Mike Wilson.