Children's Liturgy Guide

7th Sunday of Easter

Year A · Easter

Jesus Prays for His Friends

Reading: John 17:1-11a

Leader Prep

Don't worry about doing this perfectly. If the children hear one good idea about God, Jesus, prayer, kindness, forgiveness, or the Gospel, this time has been worthwhile.

Summary

In this reading, Jesus prays to His Father in heaven for the people He loves. Jesus asks God to take care of His friends because they belong to God and Jesus loves them very much.

Key Points

  • Jesus prays to God the Father for the people He loves
  • Jesus tells us that knowing God and knowing Jesus is the most important gift
  • Jesus cares so much for His friends that He prays for them
  • We belong to God, and Jesus asks the Father to watch over us

Background

This passage is part of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer at the Last Supper, spoken just before His Passion. Jesus prays for His disciples, entrusting them to the Father. The theological depth includes Jesus' relationship with the Father, the concept of glory, and eternal life defined as knowing the Father and the Son. Jesus emphasizes that the disciples belong to the Father and have been given to Him. For children, emphasize that Jesus prays for His friends because He loves them, and that we are also Jesus' friends whom He prays for. Set aside the complex theology of divine glory and the unity of Father and Son for older learners.

Session Flow

Opening Prayer

Invite the children to pray with you, then read the opening prayer below. If many don't know the sign of the cross, teach the whole group.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Dear God, thank You for loving us and for sending Jesus to be our friend. Help us to listen carefully today and learn how Jesus prays for us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Warm-up

Ask the warm-up question before the reading. There are no wrong answers; this is just to help the children connect today's reading to their own lives.

Have you ever asked someone you love to take care of something very special to you, like a favorite toy or a pet?

Example: One time I asked my grandma to take care of my goldfish when we went on vacation because I trusted her to feed it every day.

Bridge to the reading: When we love someone or something, we want to make sure they are safe and cared for. In today's reading, we will hear Jesus praying to His Father, asking Him to take care of His very special friends.

Read the Scripture

Read the day's selected passage aloud. The full Scripture text is not included here. Use a Children's Lectionary if your parish has one available. A children's Bible may also be helpful for younger children. Otherwise, read from a standard lectionary, Bible, or USCCB.org. Read slowly, with short pauses.

Reading Questions

Ask the questions conversationally. You do not need to use every question if time is short. The example answers are for leader preparation, not scripts or required answers.

  1. Who is Jesus talking to in this reading?

    Example: Jesus is talking to His Father in heaven. He is praying and asking God to help His friends.

  2. What does Jesus ask His Father to do for His friends?

    Example: Jesus asks His Father to take care of the people He loves and to keep them safe always.

  3. Jesus says His friends belong to someone. Who do they belong to?

    Example: Jesus says His friends belong to God the Father because God gave them to Jesus to love.

  4. Why do you think Jesus prayed for His friends instead of just telling them He loved them?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted God to help take care of them because God is very powerful and can always be with them.

Application Questions

Use these questions to help the children connect the reading to their own lives this week. Simple, concrete answers are best.

  1. How does it feel to know that Jesus prays for you because you are His friend?

    Example: It makes me feel really happy and safe because Jesus loves me enough to talk to God about me.

  2. Who is someone you could pray for today, like Jesus prayed for His friends?

    Example: I could pray for my little sister because sometimes she gets scared at night and I want God to help her.

  3. This week, how can you show someone that you care about them, like Jesus cares for us?

    Example: I can help my mom carry the groceries inside and tell her I love her before I go to bed.

Recap

Today we heard how Jesus prayed to His Father for His friends. Jesus loves us so much that He talks to God about us and asks the Father to take care of us. We are Jesus' friends, and He is always praying for us.

Prayer of the Faithful

Before returning to the assembly, invite the children to share their own prayer intentions. Their prayers may be serious, simple, funny, or very specific. After each child's prayer, the group may respond: "Lord, hear our prayer." Lastly, include the suggested prayer below.

For all the children who need someone to pray for them today, that they may know Jesus loves them, we pray to the Lord.

Mass Connection

If time allows, point out this connection just before returning to Mass. This helps children see that Children's Liturgy is still part of the Mass.

During the Mass, the priest prays for all the people, just like Jesus prayed for His friends. Listen especially during the Prayer of the Faithful when we pray for one another, echoing how Jesus prays for those He loves.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Thank You, Jesus, for loving us and praying for us. Help us to pray for the people we love too. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

ChildrensLiturgy.org

Jesus Prays for His Friends

John 17:1-11a

Word Search

Optional activity: use the word search after the discussion if you have time, or send it home with the children. The words relate to today's Children's Liturgy Scripture passage.

H O Z H V Y I P Y X C A R E S
B A R O R Q X C B I Y D Q K E
K I O M Y N T Y J U L H O X L
O S H Z O T R U S T U P J J P
C I B Y M N E V A E H R Y S I
T D Z Q G X L O V E S E Q B C
X F G F A T H E R T D Y Q M S
A I N Z B T E Q K H N A T K I
B C O W G V O S A F E R U D D
Z I L R X G Y N S V I P V P Q
G Y E A U Y B R F V R N H C B
K T B L Y V M D U W F M W H P
H T C E T O R P S U S E J E L
G W Z L O I T U A U T Q Z C S
G L O R Y Q O X P V H X N X K

Words to find

  • Jesus
  • Father
  • prayer
  • friends
  • love
  • heaven
  • care
  • belong
  • trust
  • protect
  • disciples
  • glory

ChildrensLiturgy.org