In this lesson, children learn that God hears every prayer, even when the world seems scary and noisy. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God hears our prayers, and He is in control of everything that happens. Our prayers go up to Him like a sweet smell rising to heaven.
Memory Verse
Revelation 8:3
Another angel came and stood over the altar, having a golden censer. Much incense was given to him, that he should add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.
(WEB)
Hold both hands together in front of your chest like you are praying. Then slowly lift your hands up over your head, as if your prayers are floating up to God. Do this motion each time you say the verse together.
The Story: Revelation 8 for Kids
In heaven, something very quiet happened. For about half an hour, there was complete silence, and nobody made a sound. Then John looked and saw seven angels standing before God, and each one was given a trumpet.
Another angel came and stood by the golden altar. He held a golden bowl full of sweet-smelling incense. This incense was mixed with the prayers of all of God’s people, and the smoke floated up toward God’s throne.
Then the angel filled the bowl with fire from the altar and threw it down to the earth. Thunder boomed, lightning flashed, and the ground shook with an earthquake. The angels got ready to blow their trumpets.
The first angel blew his trumpet, and hail and fire mixed with blood came falling down to the earth. A third of the trees and all the green grass burned up. The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great burning mountain fell into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, and some of the ships were destroyed.
The third angel blew his trumpet, and a big star named Wormwood fell from the sky onto the rivers. The water became bitter, and many people died from drinking it. The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and the sun, moon, and stars grew dim. Then an eagle flew across the sky and called out in a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe to the people on the earth, because more trumpets are still coming!”
Read It Together
Revelation 8:1
When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
(WEB)
Point out that the chapter begins with silence in heaven. Ask the children what it feels like when a room suddenly goes quiet, and remind them that God is never too busy to listen.
Revelation 8:4-5
4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand. 5 The angel took the censer, and he filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it on the earth. Thunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake followed.
(WEB)
Show how the prayers of God’s people rise up before Him like smoke. Explain that the angel then took the censer and threw fire to the earth, which shows that God answers prayer in His own way and time.
Revelation 8:13
I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!”
(WEB)
Point out the eagle’s warning and the word “woe,” which means a sad and serious warning. Explain that God gives warnings because He loves people and wants them to turn to Him.
Talk About It
- What do you think it might have been like to sit quietly in heaven for half an hour?
- Why do you think God wants to hear our prayers, even the small ones?
- How do you feel when you think about your prayers floating up to God?
- What is one thing that makes you feel safe when things around you seem loud or scary?
- Who is one person you could pray for this week?
Activity Ideas
Paper Trumpet Craft
You will need paper, a paper towel tube, tape, and markers. Roll a sheet of paper into a cone shape, tape it closed, and attach it to the end of the tube. Let children decorate their trumpets with gold stickers or drawings. As they finish, ask each child to say one prayer out loud before blowing softly into the trumpet.
Angels Stand Up Game
Ask children to stand in a line, pretending to be the seven angels. When you call out “trumpet,” they lift their arms and make a loud blowing sound. Then call out one of the things from the chapter, like “hail” or “star,” and they crouch down low like it is falling. Keep the game short and cheerful.
Prayer Smoke Jar
You will need a small jar, paper, a pencil, and a bowl. Have each child write a short prayer on a slip of paper and fold it up. Place the slips in the jar and talk about how God hears every one. Send the jar home as a reminder that prayer is always rising to God.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Revelation 8 shows that God hears the prayers of His people and that He is sovereign over all of history, including the terrible events described here. The chapter is written in symbolic and apocalyptic language, so the focus for adults is on God’s justice, His patience, and the comfort that He hears His people even in hard times.
Avoid overstating the frightening details to children. Keep the focus on God hearing our prayers and being in control, rather than on the plagues, so that the lesson stays calm and encouraging.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank You for hearing every prayer we bring to You. Help us to remember that our words rise up to You like sweet smoke. Keep us safe and calm when things feel loud or scary. We trust You to take care of us. Amen.
