Earlier we saw how the Canaanite woman’s strong faith in Jesus’ power ultimately healed her daughter.  She knew that whatever Jesus had to offer, even if it was only the “crumbs from His table” would be more than enough to heal her daughter.  She was right.  Jesus, amazed by her faith in Him, granted her request.

• Have you ever experienced a miraculous answer to prayer? Explain. (Answers:  My grandma was healed from cancer; my dad found another job after he was let go, etc.)

• How would you rate your own faith in God answering your prayers, on a scale from 1-10? Why? (Answers will vary, be prepared to share your own thoughts.)

Ask a volunteer to read aloud today’s memory verse—Mark 11:24.

Our memory verse today talks about our need for faith.  It says, “whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it.”  God wants us to have faith like the Canaanite woman.  She knew Jesus could do it and never doubted Him for a second. 

Our goal should be to increase our faith in Christ.  One of the ways to do that is to dig into His Word and let Him teach us through His Holy Spirit.  He’ll teach us about Himself and speak directly to our hearts while we read which will increase our faith in Him.

There are a few verses we’re going to look up, which we can begin praying God will use to increase our faith in Him.  We can memorize and pray them any time of the day and know God is going to hear us and answer.

Pass out index cards and writing utensils to your students.  Write the following verse references on the whiteboard and have your preteens look each of them up in their Bibles.  They should copy the verses onto their index cards.

Luke 17:5—The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
Mark 9:24—Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Matthew 19:26—Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

You might want to play the following song as they work [4:38]:
Let Faith Arise

God answered the Canaanite woman’s prayer because of her incredible faith in Jesus. 

• Why is it important to have a strong faith in God? (Possible answers might include:  He gives us peace during the tough times; faith in God gives us a greater purpose for our lives and lets us know He is totally in control, the Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God [Heb. 11:6], etc.)

On your index cards you’ve written verses you can begin memorizing and praying every day.  Ask God to “increase your faith and help you to overcome your unbelief in Him.”  Tell Him you know “all things are possible through Him.”  It’s okay to pray these things!  There is no better way to communicate with God and grow your faith in Him than by learning Scripture and praying it back to God.

Let’s increase our faith in Christ, not so our prayers will be answered, but so that His peace will become stronger in us and we’ll know He’s got this, no matter how He answers our prayers.  His will is always the best answer.

Challenge your students to memorize at least one of the verses this week. Encourage them to take time to read God’s Word and spend time with Him in prayer each day.  Ask them to read over their index cards this week, pack them in their bag when they head out the door, or tape them to their mirror in their room. 

Know these verses.  Pray them.  Believe God will answer your prayers in His time and in His way.  Have faith! 

Pray to close.