Sample Discussion: Dad, why do we pray?

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! —Matthew 7:7-11

I don’t know if you’ve noticed this, but I don’t often talk to other kids your age. Most kids your age would probably be kind of intimidated to talk to me, too. But I love talking to you, and you aren’t afraid to ask me for anything you need. Why is that? I’m your father. I love you. You’re my child, and you love me, too. So, you can talk to me and know I want to listen, and when you need a snack or help on your homework or whatever, you don’t hesitate to ask me to help you, because you know that because I love you, I will give you what you need.

That’s kind of like prayer to God. I’m not saying I’m as big a deal as God, but, just like you have a special opportunity to talk to me that other kids don’t have, it’s a great gift that God, the almighty creator of the universe, wants to listen to you when you pray. Prayer isn’t just some special words we say with our eyes closed; it’s an opportunity to meet with God and share what’s on our heart with him. And think about this: I know you get frustrated when sometimes I’m distracted and not listening to you, but God is never distracted. He’s never looking at his phone. No, he can’t wait to hear from you. And, more than that, I know there are times when you question if my response to your request is the right one, or you’re disappointed that I can’t give you what you feel you need, but you never have to do that with God. He will always do what’s best for you, and there is nothing that can stop him from doing it.

That’s what Jesus is teaching in this passage: God is just like your dad, but better! He wants to hear from you, he knows what’s best for you, and he’s able to give it to you. When we pray, we have the amazing opportunity to grow in our relationship with him, just like when we talk with one another we get to know each other better. It also reminds us that we can’t do everything on our own, just like when you ask me for stuff because you need help. We need God, and God loves to hear from us. Praying to him is a way of recognizing who we are—his children who are dependent on him—and who he is—the good and powerful God who loves and cares for us.