IS YOUR PRAYER LIFE FULL OF FLUFF?

 PARABLE OF WHIPPED CREAM

SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

A Sunday school teacher puts a small piece of chocolate on an empty plate.  Holding the plate in front of her students, she asks, "Who wants this chocolate?"

A lot of hands are raised.  One boy even stands waving his arms.

The teacher continues, "I only have one piece of chocolate.  How do I know who I should give it to?"

Little girl blurts out, "By asking for it."

Teacher continues, "Our lesson is about prayer and asking him for things more than chocolates."  The class watches as she sprays the entire can of whipped cream over the chocolate."

How many of you went shopping with your mother, begging her over and over again for her to buy you candy or a toy?

A boy speaks, "I was begging her so much, she told me she would never take me to the store again."

Teacher continues, "Jesus said these powerful words:  “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them. The truth is, that’s all the reward they will get.  But when you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father. He is there in that private place. He can see what is done in private, and he will reward you.

“And when you pray, don’t be like the people who don’t know God. They say the same things again and again. They think that if they say it enough, their god will hear them.  Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him."  (Matthew 6:5-8 ERV - Easy to Read Version)

Teacher says, "God knows what you need before you ask Him.  Just like you want the little piece of chocolate, the whipped cream is like your many words, repeating them over and over again, covering what you really want."

Little girls speaks, "Can I have the chocolate now."  The little girl comes up to the plate.

Teacher continues, "Go ahead put your hand in the whipped cream and take it."

All the class giggles, watching her put a fingertip into the whipped cream and returning to her seat.

Teacher continues, "When you are at the store treat your parents with love and respect.  If you want something, be polite and ask one time.  And they know what's good for you and they may say no.  And when we pray to God, treat him with love and respect too.  Don't whine like a little child in a shopping cart.

Little boy raises his hand, "May I have some whipped cream with my chocolate?"