RCCG LOWER JUNIOR ZEAL FOR SUNDAY 14TH OF APRIL, 2024

[1]And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.

[2]There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.

[3]Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.

[4]The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength.

[5]They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

[6]The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up.

[7]The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.

[8]He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD’S, and he hath set the world upon them.

[9]He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.

[10]The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

LESSON AIM: For the teenagers to know that one of the benefits of a grateful heart is that it guarantees speedy answers to prayers.

CENTRAL TRUTH: A grateful heart attracts speedy answers to prayers.

INTRODUCTION: To be swift means to be prompt, to be quick and fast, to keep to time. Sometimes God answers our prayers when the prayer is still a thought in our hearts. Sometimes He does things before we even ask and sometimes, we may need to wait for a while to have answers to our prayers, but in all, God is never late.

HOW CAN ONE ENJOY SWIFT ANSWERS TO PRAYERS? To enjoy swift answers to our prayers, we must persistently give God thanks. Hannah was coming to Shiloh, praying to God for so long for a child of her own and eventually, God gave her one. After her prayers had been granted, she returned to Shiloh with a grateful heart and God gave her more children (1 Sam 1:1-28; 1 Sam 2:1-15). Therefore, if you want instant answers to your prayers, you must have a grateful heart, expressing gratitude to God.

• Jesus gave thanks before raising Lazarus from the dead – John 11: 41-44.

• Jesus gave thanks for the multiplication of food to feed 5000 people – Luke 9:16-17.

• King Jehoshaphat set up a praise team to praise God and the miracle happened – 2 Chron 20:20-28.

• Hannah expressed gratitude to God and the Lord gave her more children

1 Sam. 2:1-21.

• Paul and Silas were in prison but when they expressed their grateful hearts to God and prayed, God answered them immediately – Acts 16:22-26.

• When it is not in God’s will – 1 John 5:14

LIFE APPLICATION: As children, one thing we can give our parents that would make them happy with us is our gratitude. This week, show them gratitude by saying thank you. You would discover that they will be happy to do more for you.

CONCLUSION: There is power in gratitude. When we are grateful to God, He is willing to do more and do it on time. The more we thank Him, the more He answers our prayers and on and on. It is a beautiful cycle. He loves to receive more gratitude from us. All that He demands from us and is never tired of receiving, is our praise. He swiftly does things, so we can praise Him the more.

What truth have you learnt in today’s lesson?

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Write down one way in which you are going to apply what you now know.

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