Here’s how you can teach children to pray for Singapore this National Day
by Gracia Chiang // July 31, 2024, 11:53 am
When children have a deeper understanding of who and what they are praying for, this helps them to be more engaged prayer warriors, said Esther Foong (centre), co-founder of The Treasure Box and Kidmin SG. All photos courtesy of Esther.
As we celebrate National Day, why not make use of this opportunity to rally our young ones to learn more about Singapore and how to pray for our country?
This year, The Treasure Box SG (TTB) has partnered the NextGen Committee of the Bible Society of Singapore and the Evangelical Alliance of Singapore to release a teaching package for children’s ministries and families.
Available as a free download or with a love gift, the comprehensive resource includes a lesson plan and facilitator’s guide, PowerPoint slides, and printables for four prayer segments or stations.
Sharing about the heart behind this initiative, Esther Foong, co-founder of TTB, said that the idea was for more children to grow in their prayer life, as well as deepen their knowledge of who to pray for and what to pray for in our country.
“Children are an untapped resource in the ministry of the Church.”
“Children need to know what are the needs in Singapore, so that they can pray with something in mind,” said Esther, who is also the co-founder of Kidmin SG.
Highlighting that there is power in the prayers and praise of children (Psalm 8:2), Dr Cheah Fung Fong, Chairperson of the NextGen Committee, added that “children are an untapped resource in the ministry of the Church”.
“Children have been used by God to achieve His plans and purposes. They can certainly be mobilised to pray alongside adults to stand in the gap for the nation,” she explained.
Pointing out that several children’s pastors had also shared this feedback with her, Esther revealed: “They said, ‘Every year our children ministries don’t do a National Day-themed curriculum because no one has written a curriculum for us to use.'”
That is why much thought and effort has gone into making it simple for children’s ministries leaders or volunteers to run a National Day programme with this teaching package.
Parents can also make use of the materials at home, Esther proposed. These would be most suitable for children aged six to 12.
“There’s so much information they can talk about. They can even use it for four different devotionals in the month of August,” she said.
Designed around 4Ps – Political Leaders, People, Protection and Prosperity – each segment or station presents information about Singapore in an engaging and child-friendly way.
Pray for our political leaders
For those who are not familiar with Singapore’s ministers, posters have been created for a quick and easy-to-understand overview of who does what.
For example, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong “oversees economic growth and creation of good jobs”.
“Teachers or parents can guide the children to ask, ‘Who do you want to pray for? Which area do you have a burden for?'” advised Esther.
Pray for our people
From the elderly to lower-income families, children will be introduced to five people groups in Singapore.
“We want the children to know that there are different types of people we can pray for,” said Esther. “I think we can only pray properly for people when we actually know them better.”
For instance, kids will have a greater awareness of mental health, including how gaming addiction can affect a person.
Finally, they will also have a chance to pray for their family and friends.
Pray for protection
Under this section, children learn about six defence groups that help to keep Singapore safe.
This can also be a fun station where kids are taught any of the suggested prayer warrior cheers.
“After that, they can just recite a short but very powerful prayer to call for protection for the land,” said Esther.
Pray for continued prosperity
Tracing Singapore’s humble beginnings as a fishing village in the 1800s to its present-day achievements, the young ones will come to understand the island-nation’s journey through a pictorial.
“This station is a walk down memory lane to witness how Singapore has progressed to different levels of prosperity,” explained Esther.
Reiterating that this is an opportune time to remember God’s blessings and in turn be a blessing to the nation, Esther urged children’s ministries and families to come together and pray.
“We hope that as you use this package in your children’s ministry or with your families, we can unite in faith and lift Singapore in prayer,” said Esther.
To find out more about the National Day Teaching Package, head over to TTB’s website to download the resource.
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