Watch the video above and talk about it with your family. Learn more.

Sometimes, it feels like God doesn’t hear our prayers because he doesn’t seem to answer. But, God is always listening and he promises to take care of us.

Hey kids! Have you ever prayed really hard for something? Maybe it was for your grandma who was sick, or for your dad to get a good job, or even just to make a new friend at school? And then the next day you prayed for it again? And then you did it again, and again, and again…. But God never seemed to answer?

Didn’t it feel like your prayers were just bouncing off the ceiling? You’re not the only one! King David prayed a prayer just like that in Psalm 13.

Psalm 13:1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?

David was sad about something. Maybe it’s because another king was out to get him. Or because his people wanted someone else to be their leader. Or maybe he just lost his favorite slingshot.

But whatever the reason, David felt like God had forgotten all about him. When he prayed in bed at night, he probably thought his prayers were bouncing off the ceiling.

Sometimes God Is Quiet When We Need Him Most

That’s what we learn when we read Psalm 13. God didn’t always answer David’s prayers right away. And he won’t always answer your prayers right away.

Do you know why? Because he’s God and we’re not. That’s the main reason. If we were God, we could tell him what to do. We could order him around like a little brother. But we’re not, so we can’t.

But if you keep reading Psalm 13, you’ll learn something else.

[Related: Abraham: The Wanderer with a Dream]

Just Because God Is Quiet Doesn’t Mean He’s Not There

That’s what King David learned. He realized that God was always watching and he always cared. God wasn’t mad at David, and he wasn’t trying to ignore him. Maybe he just wanted David to learn how to be patient. Maybe God was trying to teach David how to trust him.

And maybe that’s why God isn’t answering all your prayers, either. So how can we know God cares?

God Proved His Love By Sending Jesus

You remember that famous verse, right? “God loved the world so much, that he sent his only Son….” Jesus is God’s proof that he’s listening, even when it feels like our prayers aren’t getting anywhere. Because Jesus died for us, we can know that everything is going to be OK.

[Related: Jesus Series for Kids]

Next time you feel like your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling, try a different prayer. Thank God for rescuing you! That’s what King David did.

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Key Points:

  • Sometimes God is quiet when we need him most.
  • Just because God is quiet doesn’t mean he’s not there.
  • God proved his love by sending Jesus.

Memory Verse:

Psalm 13:1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way?

See Also: Prayer

Talk About It
  1. What’s your favorite part of the video? What’s one thing you learned from it?
  2. Share a time when you prayed for something and God answered in a cool way.
  3. Why do you think God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we would like?
  4. Why should we keep praying if we aren’t guaranteed the answers we want?
  5. How does Jesus prove that God loves us?
  6. Read Philippians 4:6. What does this verse tell us to do? What does this verse tell us NOT to do?
  7. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?
  8. Read Romans 12:12. What does this verse tell us to do? How can this verse help you the next time you’re worried about something?
  9. Read Micah 7:7. Why can we be confident in God’s help? How has God helped you in the past?
  10. Read 1 Peter 5:7. Who cares about you?
  11. How will you apply this lesson to your life this week?