Childrens Sermon Service

Once there was a boy named Tom. Everyone called him "Tommy" -- except at home. Sometimes at home he was called Tom or, more likely, Thomas, or -- when in trouble -- Thomas James.

Tom wanted a wristwatch for his birthday. He told his mother and he told his dad; he told his grandma and his grandpa, too. He told aunts and uncles and even his teacher at preschool that he was going to get a watch for his birthday. But when his birthday came, he didn't get his watch. He was upset. He had gotten lots of nice gifts from his parents and grandparents and others, but he didn't get his watch. So Tom started thinking about Christmas. Christmas was a long way away, but he told everybody -- and I mean everybody -- that he was going to get a watch for Christmas. He knew that if his parents, grandparents, or others didn't get his watch, surely Santa Claus would get it for him.

Every day and even every night Tom thought about his wristwatch. He just couldn't wait to open the present that would contain his shiny, new watch. Tom grew excited just thinking about it. It seemed that Christmas would never come. But the big day did arrive and Tom eagerly opened every present. But there was no watch. Why do you think Tom hadn't gotten a watch? (Let them answer.)

Tom never gave up and when he got old enough to tell time and showed his parents that he could be very responsible in taking care of things, Tom got his watch. His greatest wish came true.

When we pray to God, we pray for people and we pray for things and sometimes it seems that God has heard our prayer right away. Other times it seems like God does not even hear us. It seems like God has forgotten us. It seems like we are wasting our time even praying to God. But, like Tom's parents, God hears us. God answers every prayer. And we keep on praying. God wants us to keep on praying -- even when it seems like God doesn't hear.

Dear God: Thank you for hearing us. Amen.