Children's Liturgy Guide

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Year C · Ordinary Time

Never Stop Praying

Reading: Luke 18:1-8

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

Jesus tells a story about a woman who kept asking a judge for help, and she never gave up. Jesus wants us to know that we should keep talking to God and never stop praying, because God loves us and always listens.

Key Points

  • Jesus taught this parable specifically to show that we should always pray and not give up
  • The widow kept coming back to the judge over and over until he helped her
  • If even an uncaring judge eventually helps someone who keeps asking, how much more will our loving God hear our prayers
  • Persistence in prayer shows trust in God

Background

This parable contrasts an unjust judge with our loving God. The argument Jesus makes is 'from lesser to greater': if even a judge who does not care about justice will eventually respond to persistent requests, how much more will God, who loves us perfectly, respond to the prayers of His chosen ones. The widow is not meant to be annoying but rather models faithful persistence. For children, emphasize that God wants us to keep talking to Him and that He always listens because He loves us. Set aside the theological complexity about why prayers seem unanswered and the eschatological dimension of 'when the Son of Man comes.' Focus on the simple truth that God is a loving Father who wants to hear from us, and we can trust Him.

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 always listening when we talk to You. Help us to remember to keep praying and to trust that You hear every word we say. 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 a grown-up for something and had to ask more than once before they said yes?

Example: One time I really wanted my mom to take me to the park, and I asked her lots of times, and finally she said yes after lunch.

Bridge to the reading: Sometimes we have to keep asking for things we really need. In today's reading, Jesus tells us about a woman who kept asking and asking for help, and He wants to teach us something important about talking to God.

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 are the two main people in the story Jesus told?

    Example: There was a judge who was in charge of helping people, and there was a woman who needed his help.

  2. What did the woman keep doing over and over again?

    Example: She kept going back to the judge and asking him to help her because she really needed him to listen.

  3. What did you notice about how many times the woman asked?

    Example: She did not just ask one time and stop. She went back again and again, maybe lots of days in a row.

  4. Why do you think Jesus told this story about the woman who never gave up?

    Example: I think Jesus wanted to show us that we should keep praying and not stop, because God wants to hear from us.

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 when someone you love always listens to you?

    Example: It feels really good and safe, like they care about me and want to know what I am thinking about.

  2. What are some things you could talk to God about when you pray?

    Example: I could tell God thank you for my family, and ask Him to help my grandma feel better, and tell Him about my day.

  3. This week, when could you remember to talk to God, even if it is just a little prayer?

    Example: I could say a little prayer before I go to sleep at night or when I wake up in the morning.

Recap

Today we heard Jesus tell a story about a woman who never stopped asking for help. She kept going back again and again. Jesus told us this story because He wants us to know that we should keep praying and never give up talking to God. God is not like the grumpy judge in the story. God is our loving Father who always listens to us and cares about everything we say to Him.

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 children who are learning to pray, that they may know God always hears 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.

At Mass, the priest leads the Prayer of the Faithful when we bring many intentions to God. Just like the woman who kept asking, we bring our needs to God week after week, trusting that He hears us.

Closing Prayer

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Loving God, thank You for always listening to our prayers. Help us to remember to talk to You every day and to never give up. We know You love us and hear every word we say. 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

Never Stop Praying

Luke 18:1-8

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.

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

Words to find

  • pray
  • ask
  • judge
  • woman
  • Jesus
  • trust
  • listen
  • God
  • faith
  • never
  • help
  • love

ChildrensLiturgy.org