Prayer

Purpose:

To teach the 4 steps of prayer, and encourage Family members to use proper prayer language.

Scripture: D&C 68:25-28 "and they shall also teach their children to pray"

Song: I Pray in Faith (children’s songbook pg. 14)

Take your family on a walk outside your home. Ask them to point out things they see that are pleasing to them. Ask who made those things. Explain that Heavenly Father gives us everything. If you are in a quiet spot, have your family kneel in prayer.

Things needed: A chart of Prayer Steps (1. Dear Heavenly Father, 2. Thank thee for..., 3. We ask thee, 4. Name of Jesus Christ . Amen) Pictures from Gospel Art Kit of people praying. Hang the pictures where the children can clearly see them.

Ask what they are doing and why? Talk briefly about pictures.Show the chart that lists the parts of prayer. Tell them that Jesus taught us how to pray. Discuss how we should follow the pattern. Liken talking to Heavenly Father with talking on the phone. Let the kids practice the order using the phones. Explain that we can share feelings, thoughts and secrets with Heavenly Father. Explain that since we used to live with Heavenly Father, he misses us and likes to hear from us. (Matt. 6:9-15)

Story :It was Saturday morning and daddy was home but he had brought home some work to do. He went into a quiet room to be alone to work. Soon one of his children, a small boy, came in and asked his father for money to buy a boat to sail on a rain puddle. The father took time to explain that 2 days earlier, the boy had received his allowance with the understanding it was to take care of such wants. The boy went away. Then his little girl came in limping and crying. She had hurt her leg and needed her father to kiss the owies away. He did and she ran back to play. Then the little sister came in. She needed help with her homework. The father gave her some suggestions she needed but didn't do the work for her. A few minutes later, she came back and thanked him, because his idea worked. The next interruption was from a teenage boy who came to learn what work his dad had for him to do. He received his directions and went purposefully to his job. Finally the littlest child arrived. What do you need? asked the father. I don't need anything said the boy, I just want to be with you. Discuss how this can be compared with prayer.

Discussion:
Have you ever wondered what you might say or how you would address a very important person, such as a king, queen, or president of a country? You would want to show by your speech that you respected and honored this ruler. You might practice saying “Yes, sir” or “No, ma’am” and review the proper way to shake hands, bow, or curtsy.

There is someone, more important than anyone on earth, with whom you can talk anytime you choose. He is your Heavenly Father, and you speak with Him through prayer. Just as you would try to be polite and courteous to an important ruler, there are ways to show that you love and respect Heavenly Father. When you pray, you can show that you reverence Heavenly Father by using proper prayer language.

When Jesus was visiting the Nephites, He knelt and prayed to Heavenly Father. He showed His respect by addressing His Father with the proper words: “Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen, …
“I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe.” (3 Ne. 19:20–21, italics added.)
You can follow Jesus’ example by using words that show Heavenly Father that you love and reverence Him. Use the words thee or thou instead of you, thy instead of your, and thine instead of yours or your.

We need to remember to show the proper respect when saying prayer, by using thee, thou and thy. We show respect by saying please and thank you also. Thee thou and thy replace words like you and your.

Practice changing the words! Talk with your children nightly about changing some of the general things they say. Discuss with them each night how well they succeeded in doing the things for which they prayed for help that morning.

Challenge for Week: Remember to say individual, family and meal prayers!