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 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.

Chaired by Dr Cheah Fung Fong (third from right), the NextGen Committee aims to bring children ministry leaders into a network to reach the children and youth of Singapore, root them in discipleship, and release them to serve God in their generation. Esther (second from left) is also a member of this team.

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

Through this resource, the objective is to help children discover the different ministries in Singapore and pray for our country’s leaders by name.

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

A lot of research has been done so that facts and figures highlight the unique concerns and challenges of each people group.

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

After learning about the people who protect Singapore, kids are also encouraged to think of themselves as the seventh defence force – prayer warriors.

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

As the children reflect and thank God for our nation’s growth, they will then be led to write or express their own prayers for Singapore.

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.

Since the ministry of TTB was founded on August 9, 2018 as a gift to this nation, National Day has held an even more meaningful place in the hearts of Esther and her family.

“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.

RELATED STORIES:

Family Devotion Day 27: God loves children

Teaching children in church? Kidmin SG wants you to have the 3Cs

“I want to see them grow up and plant churches”: This children’s pastor believes kids are key to building God’s kingdom

“Time to catch God’s heart”: Day of His Power 2024 takes place in 9 days across 9 churches in Singapore