Opening Game
Knock, Knock Challenge
Facilitator: Start with a fun and active game to get everyone moving and laughing. The “Knock, Knock Challenge” ties into the theme of persistence while breaking the ice. Here’s how it works:
- Choose one person to be the “door holder” and have them stand at one end of the room. Everyone else will be “knockers.”
- The knockers must make their way to the door holder, but they can only move when the door holder isn’t looking. The door holder will turn their back, then randomly turn around to “catch” any knockers who are moving. If someone gets caught, they have to go back to the start.
- The game continues until someone successfully reaches the door holder and “knocks” by tapping their shoulder. They then become the new door holder, and the game starts again.
Let the game run for 10–15 minutes or until everyone has had a chance to play.
Follow-Up Questions for the Game
- What made it hard to keep going when you had to start over?
- How did it feel to finally reach the door and knock?
- How do you think persistence played a role in this game?
Great job, everyone! That game was a lot of fun and also showed us how sticking with something, even when it’s hard, can eventually pay off. Sometimes in life, we feel like we’re putting in all this effort but not making progress. We keep trying, and it feels like we’re starting over again and again. That’s not easy, is it?
In the same way, prayer can sometimes feel like that. We ask God for something, and it seems like nothing happens. But Jesus teaches us that we should keep going, just like in the game. He says we should keep “knocking” in prayer and trusting that God hears us, even when we can’t see it right away.
We’re going to look at a story Jesus told about persistence in prayer. This story reminds us that God always listens, cares about what we need, and answers in the way that’s best for us. Let’s dive into it and talk about how this applies to our lives.
Scripture Reading
Read Luke 11:1-13 (Jesus Instructs on Prayer) the Gospel for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”
And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’
I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Discussion
When we pray, it can sometimes feel like God isn’t listening. Have you ever prayed for something really important, like a sick friend to get better, help with a tough situation, or guidance when you felt lost? Maybe you didn’t see anything change, and it left you feeling frustrated or unsure. You might wonder if God even hears you at all. These feelings are normal, but Jesus teaches us to see prayer differently—through trust and persistence.
In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus talks about how important it is to trust God, even when it feels like He’s silent. He tells a story about a person who goes to a friend’s house late at night to ask for bread. It’s not convenient, and the friend doesn’t want to get up and help. But the person keeps knocking, asking, and waiting, and eventually, the friend gets up and gives him what he needs.
Jesus shares this story to show us that if a friend will respond to persistence, how much more will God, who loves us like a perfect parent, respond when we pray? God always hears us, and He deeply cares about what we need, even if we don’t understand how or when He will answer.
But here’s the hard part: God doesn’t always answer right away or in the way we expect. That’s when we need to trust Him. Trust means believing that God knows what’s best for us, even if it’s different from what we think we need. When we keep praying, even when it’s hard or we feel discouraged, we are showing that we trust God’s plan and timing. It’s like saying, “God, I believe in You, and I know You love me, even if I don’t understand what’s happening.”
Think about it this way: if you asked your parent for something that wasn’t good for you—like eating candy for every meal—they’d say no. Not because they don’t care, but because they do. They know what’s best for you, even if you don’t agree or understand right now. God’s love works the same way. When He says “yes,” “no,” or “wait,” it’s always for our good. We might not see it in the moment, but God’s answers are full of love and wisdom.
When we are persistent in prayer, it’s not about convincing God to change His mind or make things happen faster. Prayer doesn’t change God—it changes us. The more we pray, the more we open our hearts to God and let Him shape us. Persistent prayer builds patience, faith, and hope in our hearts. It helps us grow closer to God and trust that He is with us, no matter what.
Jesus gives us His own example of persistence in prayer. Before He was arrested, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking God, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Jesus didn’t stop praying, even when He was afraid and in pain. He trusted the Father completely, even though He knew the path ahead would be hard. Jesus shows us that persistence in prayer means staying close to God, especially when life feels overwhelming.
So, what does this look like for you? Maybe it means setting aside a few minutes every day to talk to God. You can tell Him everything—your fears, hopes, joys, and struggles. Maybe it means praying even when you’re tired or don’t feel like it. It’s okay to be honest with God and tell Him how you’re feeling. He already knows, and He wants to hear from you.
Remember, God listens to every prayer, even when it doesn’t feel like it. He knows your heart better than anyone else, and He cares about every detail of your life. Sometimes His answer will come in ways you don’t expect. Maybe it’s through a person who helps you, or a new sense of peace, or even the strength to keep going when things are hard.
When you pray, don’t give up. Keep bringing your worries, hopes, and dreams to God. Trust that He hears you and that His answer, whether it’s “yes,” “no,” or “wait,” is always given with love. Persistence in prayer is about staying close to God, no matter what. He is with you, He cares for you, and He will never stop loving you.
Small Group Reflection Questions
Facilitators: Encourage your group to share openly and listen respectfully to one another. Remind them that there are no wrong answers and that this is a space to explore their thoughts and feelings about persistence in prayer. Feel free to ask follow-up questions to keep the conversation going and help everyone feel included.
- Have you ever prayed for something and felt like God wasn’t listening? How did that make you feel?
- Why do you think Jesus tells us to keep praying, even when it feels hard?
- What does it mean to trust God’s timing? Can you think of a time when waiting for something taught you something important?
- How does persistence in prayer help us grow closer to God?
- Why do you think Jesus used stories, like the one about the friend knocking on the door, to explain prayer?
- What do you think God wants us to learn from being persistent in prayer?
- How can we remind ourselves that God’s answers are always loving, even if they aren’t what we expect?
- What can you do to make prayer a regular habit in your life?
- How can praying with others help strengthen our faith?
- How does Jesus’ example of persistence in prayer inspire you?
Challenge
Here’s your challenge for the week: make prayer a part of your daily life. Set aside a specific time each day to pray, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Use this time to share your worries, joys, and hopes with God. If you don’t know what to say, start with the Lord’s Prayer or simply sit quietly and ask God to be with you. The important thing is to stick with it, even if it feels awkward or you’re not sure what to say.
You can also try keeping a small prayer journal this week. Write down the things you’re praying for each day and any thoughts or feelings that come up. At the end of the week, look back and see how not giving up on prayer has helped you trust God more.
Another idea is to pray for someone else each day—maybe a friend, family member, or someone in your community who needs help. When you pray, you grow closer to God and open your heart to His love and care. Give it a try and see how it changes your week!
Prayer
Let’s end our time together by talking to God. Close your eyes and take a moment to quiet your heart. Remember that God is here with us, listening and loving you.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for always hearing us when we pray. Sometimes it’s hard to wait for Your answers, but we trust that You know what’s best for us. Help us to keep praying, even when it feels difficult or when we don’t see results right away. Teach us to rely on You and to trust in Your timing and love.
Jesus, You showed us how to pray and how to trust the Father completely. Help us to follow Your example and to stay close to You every day. Give us the patience and faith to keep knocking, seeking, and trusting.
Holy Spirit, fill our hearts with hope and peace as we pray this week. Guide us to see God’s love in every situation, and remind us that we are never alone.
We ask all this in the name of Jesus our Savior. Amen.
Take a moment to thank God quietly in your heart before we finish. You can share anything with Him—He’s always listening.
More Resources
For more resources, see https://young-catholics.com/70902/lesson-plan-persistence-in-prayer/