This lesson is about prayer. I don't know if you've prayed often, but it's a very important topic, so I'm going to explain some things about it.
What is prayer?
When you speak with God, who dwells in heaven, the Bible calls this prayer. God watches you from heaven and sees everything you do. He also hears everything you say. Can you imagine that? It's true, He understands you when you speak to Him!
Similarly, you can talk to the Lord Jesus because He is indeed the Son of God and is now in heaven. Because He loves you very much, He is interested in everything you feel and experience.
How should one pray?
You can pray to God or to the Lord Jesus, just as you speak with other people. You don't need to search for special words or recite memorized verses.
Where is the Right Place to Pray?
When you are at home and no one is disturbing you, then speak with God. But He also hears you when you are on the move and pray to Him.
If you have the opportunity, kneel down to pray, perhaps by a chair or next to your bed. If that's not possible at the moment, for instance, if you're currently in class, you can still tell God everything you want to tell Him. Even if you pray only in your thoughts, without making a sound, He understands you. Nevertheless, you should make an effort to pray regularly at home as well.
What can you pray for?
To this, I tell you a story that is found in the Bible: The Lord Jesus speaks of a man, who had realized that what he was doing was evil. Suddenly, the man regretted being so evil. Therefore, he asked God for forgiveness. He said: "O God, be merciful to me, the sinner!"
And the tax-gatherer, standing afar off, would not lift up even his eyes to heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, O God, have compassion on me, the sinner. (Luke 18:13)
(The abbreviation "Luke 18:13" means that you look in the Bible for the book "Gospel of Luke" and there in chapter 18 you can find verse 13)
God has heard this prayer and forgiven him his sins. Thus, you too should ask God for forgiveness of your sins, by telling Him all the evil that comes to mind. God will also listen to you and forgive you.
Furthermore, you can ask God to help you, if you are having difficulties in school or if you are sick.
Another thing that is part of prayer: Thanksgiving.
Just as you would hopefully say "thank you" to your parents when they give you something you've wished for, so thank God for everything He gives you. Thank God that He gives you enough to eat, for there are many children on the earth who suffer hunger.
