What is Prayer -- Childrens Sermon
Genesis 18


[The Story of Abraham in Genesis 18]

QUESTION 1: In this story, did Abraham decide he wanted to meet with God. Did he pray really hard that God would come and meet him? Did he call really loud, or travel hundreds of miles search for God so that he could talk to him? NO!

We cant find God on our own. Do you remember the story Jesus told about the lost sheep. If a sheep was lost and was crying and crying, the shepherd would ever hear it unless he was out looking for it.

Prayer is God coming to meet us, not us trying to find God.

QUESTION 2: When the three men came to meet Abraham, did Abraham hide in his tent pretending to be busy? Did he close his eyes and say, Im really too tired right now for visitors? Did he say, well, I sure hope they brought some food with them!

No -- What did he do? he ran out to meet them -- he begged them to stay -- he made them a gigantic feast.

Abraham had to do alot of work -- it probably took him several hours of work before he actually had a chance to talk with the Lord. God came to meet him, but Abraham had to work pretty hard at building the relationship.

For us, prayer is the way that we we build a relationship with God. God wants to meet with us -- He wants his children to spend time with Him. But we often think we have better things to do.

When you want to build a friendship with someone, you have to spend time with them. When I was in 6th grade there was a boy on my street named Peter Tatro. There werent many kids on the street and I was new to the neighborhood, but Peter befriended me. He used to come over after school and on Saturdays wanting to play ball ride bikes. He was a nice guy and we could have been good friends. But you know what I used to do? Sometimes when I saw him coming, I would actually run and hide. Especially if I was in the middle of a good book, I would pretend I wasnt home and I would sneak off to the attic or basement and I wouldnt answer when my mom called. Now that is a pretty bad idea if you want friends.

But we do that to God all the time! He wants to spend time with us. He wants to have a friendship with us -- but were too busy. We say, Oh God, I cant be bothered now, I really have important things to do. Ill put you down on my appointment calendar for 15 minutes tomorrow morning. That should be enough time, eh?

Prayer is actively building a relationship with God -- and building a relationship takes time and energy.

QUESTION 3: When Abraham finds out that he is talking with God, what does he do? Does he pull out his list of requests [Use prop -- Long piece of paper in pocket] and say wow, Im so glad you came Lord because I really need some better tents, my arthritis has been acting up, Sarahs been kind of bad-tempered lately, a few more camels maybe?, and could you help out cousin Lot? Hes having a really hard time with his new business down there in Sodom. Is that what he did? NO!

No -- what Abraham does is to wait on God and wait for God to talk to him -- and then an awesome thing happens! God starts to share his thoughts and plans and feelings with Abraham! In this story, God shared two things with Abraham. One was great -- Abraham and Sarah were going to have baby. The second was terrible -- God was going to destroy the whole city of Sodom.

We usually think that prayer means sharing OUR thoughts and feelings with God. But here its the other way around -- God sharing his thoughts and feeling with US.

Its like this: Imagine Your Dad goes away for a long trip. He comes back -- you run up and give him a big hug and say, Oh Dad, its so good to have you home -- what did you bring me? Can we go to the Mall? Will you fix my rocket? Can we have icecream for dessert? And then before he can even answer you yell, bye Dad -- sorry I cant talk longer, Ive got an important play date. You ran away so quickly, that your Dad never even had the chance to tell you that hes taking some holiday time and wants to take you to the beach for a week of vacation -- because you were so busy thinking about the little things that you want, you missed the really good stuff.

You see, prayer isnt just asking God for things. Prayer is finding out what God wants for us and what God wants to do in the world. Prayer is listening in on Gods plans.

QUESTION 4: When Abraham heard about Gods plans for the city of Sodom, What did he say? Did he say, great! wonderful! good idea Lord! Go for it!? No! Did he say, God, I dont understand, but you must know whats best, so Thy will be done. NO!

What he did say was something like this, God, how can you do this? You arent really going to punish everyone in Sodom even if there are innocent people there, are you? That isnt like you, Lord!

Probably most of you kids havent argued with God or complained to God -- yet. But youll learn to. Abraham is honest with God. When hes unhappy about something, he lets God know about it. Moses and David and Jeremiah did the same thing.

You see, theres no point pretending with God. If youre angry or upset, youre best to tell him because he knows it already. And if you talk to him about it, then you give Him a chance to help you.

When youre unhappy with something your Mom or Dad decide, what do you do? Do you stop talking to them? Do you go off and pout in a corner? Lots of people do these things when they are upset at God. But thats the wrong response. Dont run away from God when bad things happen, or when youre disappointed, or when you think God hasnt answered a prayer. Let God know what hurts you and what upsets you. Argue with him. Complain to him. And then give God the chance to help you to understand.

Prayer is honestly expressing our deepest feelings -- our doubts and our fears -- to God.

QUESTION 5: When Abraham argued with God about Sodom and asked him whether he would really destroy the city if there were good people there, how did God respond. Did God change his mind and say, you know Abraham, you are right!? I never looked at it that way. Im going to change my mind.

NO! God doesnt change his mind! The one who is changed is Abraham, because Abraham discovers what God is really like. He discovers that his fears that God was unfair and unloving were not true.

And thats what happens when we pray. We dont pray to change Gods mind, or to get God to do things for us. We meet God just to be with Him and to get to know HIM and to discover what God is really like.

People often say Prayer changes things -- and it does. But what prayer changes more than anything is the person who prays. In fact, if we pray and nothing about us changes, then we should ask, have we really been meeting with God? You cannot meet with God and remain the same for long.

Prayer is discovering what God is really like -- and being changed by it!