Prayer “Yes”, “No”, “Wait” | Daniel 9:10

Opening Activity: God’s Hotline” Paper Cup Telephones (10:15-10:30)

Materials needed:

• Paper cups (two per child)
• String or yarn (cut into 2-foot lengths)
  Have the cups pre-punched with a small hole in the bottom of the cup. Thread string through the hole and tie a knot inside the cup.
• Markers to decorate the cups
• Stickers to decorate the cups (optional)
• Small paper circles in red, yellow, and green and “Prayer Telephone”
• Glue

Instructions:

1. Give each child a paper cup and decorating supplies
2. Have them decorate their cup as a “Prayer Telephone to God”
3. On the string, attach the three colored circles
4. As they create, explain: “Daniel prayed to God like talking on a special telephone. Sometimes God answered right away with ‘Yes’ (green), sometimes with ‘Wait’ (yellow), and sometimes with ‘No’ (red).”
5. Let children practice holding the cup to their ear and talking to their friends.

End the activity by explaining that we don’t need a telephone to talk to God. We can just talk to Him anytime we need to. He will always answer.

Bible Story & Discussion (10:30-10:40 a.m.)

Daniel’s Prayers

Materials needed:

• Simple picture of Daniel praying
• Picture of an angel
• Bible or story card with Daniel’s story simplified

Instructions:

1. Tell a simplified version of Daniel’s story:
   • “Daniel loved God and prayed to God every day”
   • “One time, Daniel prayed for understanding and an angel came right away with an answer! That was God saying ‘YES!'”
   • “Another time, Daniel prayed and had to wait because the angel was delayed for 21 days! That was God saying ‘WAIT!'”
   • “Daniel also prayed for his people to go back home right away, but God had a different plan. That was God saying ‘NO, I have a better plan!'”
2. Ask simple questions:
   • “Did God stop listening when Daniel had to wait?”
   • “Was God still good even when He said ‘no’?”
   • “How do you think Daniel felt when he got a ‘yes’ right away?”

Stoplight Craft (10:40-10:45 a.m.)

Prayer Stoplight

Materials needed:

• Pre-printed stoplight template on cardstock
• Pre-cut circles for children to color red, yellow, green
• Crayons or markers
• Glue sticks

Instructions:

1. Give each child a stoplight template, word cards, and colored circles
2. Have children color their stoplight yellow
3. Discussion while gluing:
   • When putting on GREEN/YES: “Sometimes God says ‘Yes’ right away, like when the angel came to Daniel immediately! Can you think of a time God said ‘yes’ to something you prayed for?”
   • When putting on YELLOW/WAIT: “Sometimes God says ‘Wait,’ like when Daniel had to wait 21 days! Have you ever had to wait for something? Was it hard?”
   • When putting on RED/NO: “Sometimes God says ‘No’ because He has a better plan, like when Daniel prayed for his people! When has someone told you ‘no’ because they loved you?”
4. Remind them: “Your stoplight can help you remember that God always hears your prayers!”

Daniel’s Prayer Stoplight Game (10:45-11:00 a.m.)

(Modified Red Light, Green Light)

Materials needed:

• Teacher-made large stoplight cards
• Open space to move

Instructions:

1. Line up children at one end of the room
2. Explain: “Daniel prayed three times a day! Now we’ll play a special prayer game.”
3. When teacher holds up:
   • GREEN: Children walk forward saying “Thank you God for saying yes!”
   • YELLOW: Children walk in place counting to 21 quietly (like Daniel waiting 21 days)
   • RED: Children freeze in a prayer position saying “I trust your plan, God”
4. First child to reach the finish line gets to hold the stoplight cards for the next round
5. Play 2-3 rounds as time allows

Closing Activity (5 minutes)

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