This Psalm 55 Sunday school lesson teaches children that God hears us when we are scared or hurt, and we can bring our worries to him in prayer. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
When someone hurts us or we feel scared, we can talk to God about it, because he always hears us and will take care of us.
Memory Verse
Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be moved.
(WEB)
Teach children to hold both hands out in front of them, as if carrying a heavy box, then lift them up high and open them wide as they say the verse together. Let the lifting motion remind them to hand their worries over to God.
The Story: Psalm 55 for Kids
King David wrote this song when he was very upset. Someone who had been his close friend had turned against him, and it hurt him deeply. David felt sick inside, and his heart was pounding with fear. He wanted to run far away and hide where no one could find him.
David was not hiding from his worries, though. He stopped and talked to God about them. He told God everything that was making him sad and scared. He asked God to listen to him, and he kept praying morning, noon, and night, because he knew God was always near.
David remembered that this friend had once walked with him and shared happy times in God’s house. So the hurt was even bigger, because a good friend had let him down. David said, in his own honest words, that he wanted God to be the one to deal with what was wrong. He trusted that God would do what was right.
In the end, David remembered that God is strong and faithful. He chose to trust God instead of staying stuck in fear. He ended his song by saying that he would keep trusting God, no matter what happened around him.
Read It Together
Psalm 55:1-2
1 Listen to my prayer, God. Don’t hide yourself from my supplication. 2 Attend to me, and answer me. I am restless in my complaint, and moan…
(WEB)
Point out that David starts by asking God to listen and to answer him. Ask the children what they might say to God when they feel worried, and remind them that God is never too busy to hear them.
Psalm 55:16-17
16 As for me, I will call on God. The LORD will save me. 17 Evening, morning, and at noon, I will cry out in distress. He will hear my voice.
(WEB)
Show how David talks to God at different times of day. Help the children name times in their own day when they could pray, such as before breakfast, at lunch, or before bed.
Talk About It
- What did David feel inside when someone he trusted hurt him?
- Where did David go when he was scared, and what did he do there?
- Can you tell about a time when you felt scared or sad, and who helped you feel better?
- What is one worry you could give to God today?
- How do you think God feels when he sees one of his children hurting?
Activity Ideas
Worry Box Drawing
You will need a shoebox with a lid, paper, crayons, and tape. Have each child draw a picture of a worry on a small piece of paper, then fold it and put it in the box. Close the lid together and pray that God will carry those worries for them, reminding the children that they can open the box again and pray about them whenever they need to.
Hand-Over Relay
You will need a few soft objects such as beanbags or rolled socks, and an open space. Divide the children into two teams and have them pass the objects down a line using both hands, one at a time, saying “God, I give you my worry” as they pass each one. Explain that passing things along shows how we hand our burdens to God, who is always ready to take them.
Take-Home Prayer Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a hole punch with string. Have each child write or draw one thing they can ask God for when they feel scared, then punch a hole and tie the card to a string to hang on a bedroom door or wall. Encourage them to look at it each morning and say a short prayer, so they remember that God hears them everywhere they go.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Psalm 55 is an honest prayer from someone who has been betrayed by a close friend. It shows that God’s people can bring raw emotions, including anger, fear, and grief, directly to him, and that trusting God is a choice made even in the middle of pain.
With children, avoid suggesting that prayer always removes the hurt right away or that God will always punish the people who wrong us. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness and his care, and let children know that feeling sad or scared is normal and that God is still with them.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you hear us when we are scared or sad. We give you our worries today, and we ask you to hold us up. Help us remember that we can talk to you anytime, anywhere. Amen.
