Prayer

Good morning!

Today’s Scripture is:

“Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven,
may your name be kept holy.”
Matthew 6:9 (NLT)

A Bug That Looks Holy

You might have seen a really cool-looking bug sitting on a branch with its front legs folded like the picture.

It’s called a praying mantis.

But here’s the funny part: the praying mantis isn’t actually praying.

It’s waiting for lunch.

The praying mantis is an ambush predator, which is a fancy way of saying: it sits very still, blending in with leaves and twigs, and when a bug—or even a tiny bird, lizard, or frog—comes close…

WHAM! It strikes super fast, like a ninja.

It looks like it’s praying because that’s how God designed its body.

But God didn’t make you just to look like you pray.

He made you to actually pray.

Jesus Shows Us How to Pray

In Matthew 6, Jesus teaches His followers a simple way to pray. He says:

• “Our Father in heaven…”

God is our loving Father. We can talk to Him anytime.

• “May your name be kept holy.”

That means God is special, perfect, and worth honoring.

• “May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done…”

We’re saying, “God, do things Your way, not my way.”

• “Give us today the food we need…”

We can ask God for what we need each day.

• “Forgive us our sins…”

God loves to forgive us when we mess up.

• “Help us forgive others…”

We should forgive people too—even when it’s hard.

• “Don’t let us yield to temptation…”

We’re asking God to help us choose right.

• “Rescue us from the evil one.”

God is stronger than anything scary or wrong.

The Big Idea

Prayer isn’t hard or complicated.

You don’t need fancy words.

You don’t need ninja moves.

Prayer is just:

• focusing on who God is,

• telling Him what you need,

• and listening because He does answer.

Let’s Pray Together

Lord, thank You for the gift of prayer. Thank You that You always listen to us. Help us talk to You every day and trust You. We love You. Amen.

LolliPop Challenge:

Today, take one quiet minute and pray like Jesus taught.

Even a simple prayer counts, like: “Father, Your name is holy. Help me today. Thank You for loving me.” You’re not just looking like you pray…you’re doing what God made you to do.