This lesson teaches children that God hears our prayers and cares about us even when we are scared or sick. It is written for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. You can use it in a Sunday school class, a small group, or at home with your family.
Big Idea
When we are sick or scared, we can pray to God, and He hears every word and sees every tear.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 20:5
“Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘The LORD, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to the LORD’s house.
(WEB)
Have the children cup both hands in front of their chests like they are holding a tear, then slowly open their hands and wave them up toward the sky. Say the verse together while you do the motion, and repeat it three times so the children remember how God sees and answers.
The Story: 2 Kings 20 for Kids
King Hezekiah was a good king of Judah, and one day he became very sick. He was so sick that he was going to die. The prophet Isaiah came to visit him and gave him a message from God. Isaiah said, “Set your house in order, because you will die and not live.”
Hezekiah was very sad and scared. He turned his face to the wall, so no one could see him cry, and he prayed to God. He said, “Please remember how I have followed you and tried to do what is good.” Then he wept bitterly, crying hard big tears.
God heard Hezekiah’s prayer before Isaiah had even left the city. God sent Isaiah back with a new message. God said, “I have heard your prayer and I have seen your tears. I will heal you. On the third day you will go up to my house to worship me. I will also give you fifteen more years to live.”
Isaiah told the servants to put a cake of figs on Hezekiah’s sore, and he got better. Hezekiah asked God for a sign to show that the healing was true. Isaiah asked him if he wanted the shadow on the sundial to go forward ten steps or back ten steps. Hezekiah chose the harder thing, so the shadow went back ten steps, just as God had promised.
Later, some visitors came from Babylon, and Hezekiah showed them all his treasures. Isaiah told Hezekiah that one day everything in his house would be carried away to Babylon. Hezekiah trusted that God’s word was good, and then he died. His son Manasseh became the next king.
Read It Together
2 Kings 20:2
Then he turned his face to the wall, and prayed to the LORD, saying…
(WEB)
Point out that Hezekiah did not hide from God. He turned his face toward a wall and talked to God in private. Ask the children what they can do when they feel scared or sad.
2 Kings 20:5-6
5 “Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘The LORD, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to the LORD’s house. 6 I will add to your days fifteen years. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.”’”
(WEB)
Show the children how God answered Hezekiah with healing and more years. Explain that God does not always answer every prayer the way we ask, but He always hears us and keeps His promises.
2 Kings 20:11
Isaiah the prophet cried to the LORD; and he brought the shadow ten steps backward, by which it had gone down on the sundial of Ahaz.
(WEB)
Point out that Isaiah prayed and God made the shadow move backward, which only God could do. Help the children see that God is powerful enough to do amazing things, and that He is worth trusting.
Talk About It
- How do you feel when you are sick or scared, and what do you do with those feelings?
- What do you think Hezekiah was thinking when he turned his face to the wall?
- Why do you think God wanted Hezekiah to know that He had heard his tears?
- What is something you could tell God in a prayer today?
- How can knowing that God sees our tears help us when we feel alone?
Activity Ideas
Tear Drop Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a picture of themselves feeling sad or sick, and then draw a small tear drop next to it. On the back, have them write or draw one thing they want to pray to God about. Let them keep the picture to remind them that God sees every tear.
Shadow Stretch Game
Go outside on a sunny day or stand near a lamp indoors. Have the children watch their shadows, then ask them to move slowly forward ten steps and then backward ten steps, like the shadow on the sundial. Talk about how only God can make the sun’s shadow move backward.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards, a marker, and a rubber band. Write the phrase “God hears my prayer” on each card, one for each child. Let the children decorate the cards and take them home. Encourage them to keep the card in a pocket or on a bedside table and pray with their families when they feel scared or sick.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows that God hears honest prayers, even prayers made in fear or tears. It also shows that God keeps His word, both in healing and in the warnings given to Hezekiah about the future. Adults can take comfort that God is attentive and faithful, even when His answers are not what we expected.
Be careful not to tell children that if they pray hard enough, God will always heal them. The story shows that God answers, but He does not promise every sick person will be healed. Keep the focus on God’s love and faithfulness rather than on getting the answer we want.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank You that You hear us when we pray. When we feel sick, sad, or scared, help us remember that You see our tears and care about us. Help us trust You every day, even when we do not understand. Amen.
