This lesson teaches children that God hears us when people are unkind to us, and that we can bring our hurt to him in prayer. It suits children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a verse, and a prayer.
Big Idea
When people are mean to us, we can tell God all about it. He always hears us, and he always helps the people who trust him.
Memory Verse
Psalm 109:26
Help me, the LORD, my God. Save me according to your loving kindness…
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands out in front of them, palms up, as if they are asking for help. Say the verse together while lifting the hands higher with each phrase, then bring them down gently to the heart on the last word.
The Story: Psalm 109 for Kids
Long ago, a king named David wrote a song to God. People had been saying untrue and hurtful things about him. Some of them made up lies, and others were trying to hurt him without any reason at all. David felt sad and tired, and he did not know what to do about it.
David did not keep his feelings inside. He went to God and said, “Please do not stay silent. Please hear me.” He told God exactly how he felt, and he asked God to be fair and to protect him. He even admitted that his body felt weak from all the worry, and his heart felt broken.
David was honest about his hurt, but he did not try to pay back mean words with more mean words. Instead, he trusted God to be the one who made things right. He knew that God is kind, and that God would not forget the people who were in trouble.
At the end of his song, David made a happy promise. He said he would thank the LORD with his mouth and praise him in front of everyone. He remembered that God stands close to people who are in need, and that God would help them.
Read It Together
Psalm 109:21
But deal with me, the LORD the Lord, for your name’s sake, because your loving kindness is good, deliver me…
(WEB)
Point out that David starts by asking God for help “for your name’s sake.” Explain that this means David trusted God to act because God is good and keeps his promises. Ask the children what it feels like to know someone who always keeps their word.
Psalm 109:30-31
30 I will give great thanks to the LORD with my mouth. Yes, I will praise him among the multitude. 31 For he will stand at the right hand of the needy, to save him from those who judge his soul.
(WEB)
Show the children how David ends with praise, even though his problems were still there. Explain that thanking God can help us remember he is near, even on hard days. Ask them to name one thing they could thank God for this week.
Psalm 109:4
In return for my love, they are my adversaries; but I am in prayer.
(WEB)
Point out that David said he was “in prayer” even while people were being unkind to him. Explain that prayer is always a good place to go when we feel hurt. Talk about how praying can change how we feel inside, even if the other person does not change right away.
Talk About It
- What is one thing David did when people were being mean to him?
- How do you think David felt when people said untrue things about him?
- Why did David ask God for help instead of trying to get even?
- What is a time someone was unkind to you, and what could you tell God about it?
- How can praising God help us feel brave on a hard day?
Activity Ideas
Prayer Feelings Pictures
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a face that shows how they feel when someone is unkind, then draw a small heart or a sun beside it. Explain that the sun is God, who hears every feeling we have. Let them take the picture home and talk about it with their family.
Hands Up Help
You will need an open space where children can stand in a circle. Ask the children to stand still, then pretend someone said something mean to them and shrug their shoulders. Next, have them lift both hands up toward the ceiling as they say, “Help me, Lord!” Repeat the movement a few times, then end by clapping together to show thanks.
Thank You Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, paper strips, and a pen or pencil. Each day this week, have the child write one thing they are thankful for on a strip and drop it into the jar. Encourage them to pray over their thankful notes at the end of the week. This helps children practice thanking God even when hard things happen.
Teacher Notes
Psalm 109 is an honest prayer from someone who was treated unfairly. David brings his anger, pain, and fear straight to God, and he asks God to act justly. For adults, the psalm reminds us that God invites us to be truthful in prayer and that he is the one who judges rightly. We do not need to hide our hurt from him.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God will always punish people who are unkind, or that we should wish harm on others. Some of the psalm’s strongest words are David’s own feelings in a hard moment, and the New Testament teaches us to love our enemies. Keep the focus on bringing hurts to God, trusting his goodness, and choosing praise.
A Prayer to Close
Lord, thank you for hearing us when we feel sad or when people are unkind to us. Help us tell you everything in our hearts and trust you to be fair and kind. Thank you for being near us always. Amen.
