Reinforces this week’s Primary Sharing Time Theme:
The scriptures teach me how to pray
FHE
with
Ask, and It Shall be Given You
Scripture:
Matthew 7:7-8
7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Song:
A Child’s Prayer Children’s Songbook page 12
Lesson:
Sometimes children and parents are apart for a time and can’t see each other. (Give an example: “Remember when Mommy went to the hospital to have the baby? or when Daddy was away on business.”)
How can we talk to them, during these times, so that we can feel near to them and feel of their love? (Call them on the phone, email, write letters, etc.)
Even though we can’t see our Heavenly Father, He is near and He wants us to talk to Him and feel His love for us.
How can we talk to Heavenly Father? (Through prayer.)
What would you do if you had a hole in your shoe? (Discuss how children would need talk to their parents about the problem and ask them for a new pair of shoes.)
Parents love their children and will do everything in their power to help them. Heavenly Father also loves us, His children, and wants to help us.
If you didn’t talk to your parents for a whole day, would they be sad? (Parents talk about how you would feel if your children didn’t talk to you.)
Do you think it makes Heavenly Father sad when we don’t talk to Him? (Yes.)
The Lord’s Prayer is a masterful model for our prayers. When we pray there are four basic steps to follow, but we should always remember to make our prayers meaningful and really talk to Heavenly Father and not just recite our prayers.
Quote:
“What a marvelous and wonderful thing is prayer…We can actually speak with our Father in Heaven. He will hear and respond, but we need to listen to that response. Nothing is too serious and nothing too unimportant to share with Him.”
~ Gordon B. Hinckley
Q&A:
How can we talk to Heavenly Father? (Through prayer.)
What should you do before you begin your personal prayers? (Discuss the obvious, kneel down, fold your arms and close your eyes.)
Another thing you can do before beginning your personal prayers is to ponder. To ponder means to think carefully about the blessings Heavenly Father has given you. Pondering can bring you a feeling of gratitude that will help you prepare to talk to your Heavenly Father.
What are the four basic steps? ( 1–Address: “Our Father in Heaven.” 2–Give thanks:“We thank thee.” 3–Ask: “We ask thee.” 4–Close: “In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”)
Can you talk to Heavenly Father about anything? (Yes.)
When you pray do not hurry. Voice the feelings of your heart while speaking to Him with reverence. Tell Him how much you love Him. Thank Him for your blessings and ask Him for the blessings you need. Share with Him your feelings and the things that make you happy and the things that make you sad or frightened. Tell Heavenly Father of your love for His Son, Jesus Christ and ask for the Holy Ghost to be with you.
Can praying bring you a peace? (Yes.)
When you finish your prayer, sit quietly for a moment and think about Heavenly Father. Listen to the still small voice of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will give you a sweet and peaceful feeling. Always remember that Heavenly Father will answer your prayers in a way that is best for you.
Story:
Thy Will Be Done
Jenny buried her head in her pillow so Sarah wouldn’t hear her crying. “Why won’t He answer my prayers?” she questioned as she cried herself to sleep.
The next morning Jenny crawled out of bed and knelt next to it like she always did in the mornings to say her prayers, but she was angry and couldn’t make the words come out. “Heavenly Father doesn’t answer my prayers anymore anyway!” She mumbled as she rose to her feet and left her bedroom without praying.
Jenny found Mother flipping pancakes, her eyes were red and Jenny knew she had been crying. Mother smiled when she saw Jenny, “Good morning, Sunshine! Is Sarah still sleeping?” Mother greeted.
Jenny nodded.
“Do you mind getting her up for me? Aunt Pat’s going to watch her for me this morning while I take Grandma to her doctor’s appointment—and I’m running a little late.”
When Jenny returned with her sister, they all sat at the table for breakfast. “Jenny will you say the blessing?” Mother asked.
Jenny didn’t want to tell Mother that Heavenly Father didn’t answer her prayers, instead she replied, “Sarah wants to say it. Don’t you Sarah?”
Sarah grinned. “I say prayer, Mommy?”
After school, Jenny looked around, but couldn’t see Mother’s car. “Jenny, over here!” she heard Aunt Pat call from her car. Jenny opened the car door and climbed in next to Sarah who was sleeping in her car seat. “Where’s Mommy?” Jenny asked.
Aunt Pat looked concerned. “She’s at the hospital with your Grandma,” she answered. “You and Sarah get to sleep over at my house tonight! Your clothes and your favorite DVDs are all packed.”
Jenny always loved sleeping over at her father’s sister’s house. Aunt Pat was her favorite, but today she was sad and wanted her Mommy. Tears welled up in her eyes as the car pulled out of the school parking lot. When they reached Aunt Pat’s house and Sarah was tucked into the spare bed to finish her nap, Jenny asked, “Is my Grandma going to be okay?”
“I don’t know Jenny, but I’m praying for her.”
“What good does praying do? Heavenly Father doesn’t answer!” Jenny spouted angrily.
Aunt Pat took Jenny in her arms and stroked her hair. “Oh, Jenny! I know it’s hard to understand, but Heavenly Father does love you and will always answer your prayers, but sometimes the answers aren’t what we want to hear,” Aunt Pat explained.
Jenny looked up at Aunt Pat. “What do you mean?” she questioned.
“When we pray to Heavenly Father, we have to remember that He knows what is best! There is much in life that is not easy, but Heavenly Father and Jesus are mindful of the things we must endure in this life. They will help us through these tough times if we ask.”
“But I have asked and Grandma hasn’t gotten better!”
“Jenny, I don’t know if your Grandma will get better,” Aunt Pat honestly answered the little girl. “Losing a loved one is really hard. Did you know that I was just about your age when I lost my grandma?
Jenny shook her head.
“I know how much you want her to get better, but death is part of Heavenly Father’s plan. What we need to remember is that families can be together forever.”
“So I shouldn’t ask Heavenly Father to make Grandma better?”
“You should to ask Heavenly Father to heal your grandma, but remember ‘Thy will be done’. There are other things you can also pray for, like asking Him to help ease her pain and to comfort her and your family. When my grandma knew she would soon be returning to Heavenly Father, she read me a scripture that brought me comfort. Would you like me to read it to you?”
Jenny wiped her tears with the back of her hand and nodded. Aunt Pat got her Bible down from the shelf and opened it to John 16:22, “‘And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.’”
Before going to bed that night Jenny knelt down and asked Heavenly Father to help her accept His will. As she climbed into bed a warm and comforting feeling filled her heart and she knew Heavenly Father loved her and did answer her prayers.
by Margie Nauta Lee
Activity idea:
Preparing for Prayer Activity
During this prayer activity object lesson your children will learn how they can prepare to pray to their Heavenly Father in order to show Him love, honor and respect.
Treat idea:
"Praying Arms" Soft Pretzels
Yummy, warm, SOFT PRETZELS are a fun treat that are twisted into a knot-like shape to resemble two arms folded for prayer.