Matthew 6:5-15

International Children’s Bible

Jesus Teaches About Prayer

⁵“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 pray. I tell you the truth. They already have their full reward. ⁶When you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father who cannot be seen. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you.

⁷“And when you pray, don’t be like those people who don’t know God. They continue saying things that mean nothing. They think that God will hear them because of the many things they say. ⁸Don’t be like them. Your Father knows the things you need before you ask him. ⁹So when you pray, you should pray like this:

‘Our Father in heaven,
we pray that your name will always be kept holy.
¹⁰We pray that your kingdom will come.
We pray that what you want will be done,
    here on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹Give us the food we need for each day.
¹²Forgive the sins we have done,
    just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us.
¹³And do not cause us to be tested;
but save us from the Evil One.’
    [The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.]^[a]

¹⁴Yes, if you forgive others for the things they do wrong, then your Father in heaven will also forgive you for the things you do wrong. ¹⁵But if you don’t forgive the wrongs of others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrong things you do.

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Footnotes

6:13 The . . . Amen. Some Greek copies do not contain the bracketed text.

Psalm 91

International Children’s Bible

Safe in the Lord

91 Those who go to God Most High for safety
will be protected by God All-Powerful.
²I will say to the Lord, “You are my place of safety and protection.
You are my God, and I trust you.”

³God will save you from hidden traps
    and from deadly diseases.
⁴He will protect you like a bird
    spreading its wings over its young.
    His truth will be like your armor and shield.
⁵You will not fear any danger by night
    or an arrow during the day.
⁶You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark
    or sickness that strikes at noon.
⁷At your side 1,000 people may die,
    or even 10,000 right beside you.
    But you will not be hurt.
⁸You will only watch what happens.
    You will see the wicked punished.

⁹The Lord is your protection.
    You have made God Most High your place of safety.
¹⁰Nothing bad will happen to you.
    No disaster will come to your home.
¹¹He has put his angels in charge of you.
    They will watch over you wherever you go.
¹²They will catch you with their hands.
    And you will not hit your foot on a rock.
¹³You will walk on lions and cobras.
    You will step on strong lions and snakes.

¹⁴The Lord says, “If someone loves me, I will save him.
    I will protect those who know me.
¹⁵They will call to me, and I will answer them.
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue them and honor them.
¹⁶I will give them a long, full life.
    They will see how I can save.”

Psalm 40

International Children’s Bible

Praise and Prayer for Help

For the director of music. A song of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord.
    He turned to me and heard my cry.
²He lifted me out of the pit of destruction,
    out of the sticky mud.
He stood me on a rock.
    He made my feet steady.
³He put a new song in my mouth.
    It was a song of praise to our God.
Many people will see this and worship him.
    Then they will trust the Lord.

⁴Happy is the person
    who trusts the Lord.
He doesn’t turn to those who are proud,
    to those who worship false gods.
⁵Lord our God, you have done many miracles.
    Your plans for us are many.
If I tried to tell them all,
    there would be too many to count.

⁶You do not want sacrifices and offerings.
    But you have made a hole in my ear
    to show that my body and life are yours.
You do not ask for burnt offerings
    and offerings to take away sins.
⁷Then I said, “Look, I have come.
    It is written about me in the book.
⁸My God, I want to do what you want.
    Your teachings are in my heart.”

⁹I will tell about your goodness in the great meeting of your people.
    Lord, you know my lips are not silent.
¹⁰I do not hide your goodness in my heart.
    I speak about your loyalty and salvation.
I do not hide your love and truth
    from the people in the great meeting.

¹¹Lord, do not hold back your mercy from me.
    Let your love and truth always protect me.
¹²Troubles have gathered around me.
    There are too many to count.
My sins have caught me.
    I cannot see a way to escape.
I have more sins than hairs on my head.
    I have lost my courage.
¹³Please, Lord, save me.
    Hurry, Lord, to help me.
¹⁴People are trying to kill me.
    Shame them and disgrace them.
People want to hurt me.
    Let them run away in disgrace.
¹⁵People are making fun of me.
    Let them be shamed into silence.
¹⁶But let those who follow you
    be happy and glad.
They love you for saving them.
    May they always say, “Praise the Lord!”

¹⁷Lord, I am poor and helpless.
But please remember me.
You are my helper and savior.
My God, do not wait.

Psalm 131

International Children’s Bible

Childlike Trust in God

A song for going up to worship. Of David.

131 Lord, my heart is not proud.
    I don’t look down on others.
I don’t do great things,
    and I can’t do miracles.
²But I am calm and quiet.
    I am like a baby with its mother.
    I am at peace, like a baby with its mother.