1. * 1. Heavenly Father, are you really there? And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer? Some say that heaven is far away, But I feel it close around me as I pray. Heavenly Father, I remember now Something that Jesus told disciples long ago: “Suffer the children to come to me.” Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee. * 2. Pray, he is there; Speak, he is list’ning. You are his child; His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayer; He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n. * Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938 © 1984 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Enr Act #6

2. “Lesson 11: Jesus Christ Teaches about Prayer,” Primary 7: New Testament, 37

4. *W*W*W*We can pray to Heavenly Father for help with any problem that troubles us, to share our feelings with Him, or to express our gratitude. * Heavenly Father will always hear our sincere prayers.

5. “Chapter 20: Jesus Teaches about Prayer,” New Testament Stories, 51

6. *J*J*J*Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. *H*H*H*He said that some people pray only so others will see them praying. * Jesus * Jesus taught that we should say our personal prayers where we can be alone, if possible.

7. * Jesus said that we should pray sincerely for what we need. * He * He said that some people say the same words over and over when they pray. * They do not really think about what they are saying.

8. * The Savior said a prayer to show His disciples how to pray. * He began by saying, “Our Father… In heaven.” *H*H*H*He praised Heavenly Father and then asked Him for help. He said “amen” at the end of His prayer.

9. *L*L*L*Later, Jesus told His disciples to pray to the Father in His name. * He promised that Heavenly Father would answer their prayers.

11. * A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be good when he or she is not or who is good and pretends not to be.

12. * What did Jesus mean when He said, “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are”? *L*L*L*Let’s read Matthew 6:5 *H*H*H*How can we pray sincerely so that we are not like the hypocrites?

13. * How * How did Jesus say we should be different from the hypocrites when we offer personal prayers? *L*L*L*Let’s read Matthew 6:6

14. *W*W*W*What did Jesus mean when He said, “When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do”? *L*L*L*Let’s read Matthew 6:7 *H*H*H*Heathen here means those people who worship many gods or who are not Christians. *A*A*A*A vain repetition is when we repeat the same words and phrases thoughtlessly and insincerely.

15. * How can we avoid “vain repetitions” when we pray? repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions

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17. repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions repetitions

18. * Vain repetition in prayer is a lot like a question in a powerpoint lesson that repeats over and over again!

19. *W*W*W*What does Jesus mean when He tells us to ask, seek, and knock? *L*L*L*Let’s read Matthew 7:7–11 * What * What is Heavenly Father’s promise to those who ask, seek, and knock?

20. * How has praying to Heavenly Father helped you?

21. * Does Heavenly Father always answer our prayers? * Even though we may not get an immediate answer to our prayers or do not receive the answer that we expect, Heavenly Father does answer every sincere prayer. * Sometimes His answer is “no” or “not yet.”

22. * Have any of you experienced this? * Because Heavenly Father knows all things, He knows what is best for us. * Why might Heavenly Father answer “no” or “not yet” to a prayer?

23. *W*W*W*Where and how often should we offer personal prayers? *L*L*L*Let’s read Alma 34:19–27 * What should we pray about? * What has Heavenly Father given us that we should be thankful for?

24. * Why * Why do you think Heavenly Father wants us to pray to Him? *W*W*W*Why is it important to have a personal prayer every morning and night? *L*L*L*Let’s read Alma 37:37

25. * How do you feel when you offer a humble and sincere personal prayer? * How can we become closer to Heavenly Father through prayer? * How can we always have a prayer in our heart? * Why should we try to do this?

26. * Tell the class about the scripture. * Why was Jesus praying? * How can His example help us with our prayers? Enr Act #1 * Let’s divide into small groups and have each group look up one or two of these scripture references:

27. Do you have a special experience about when a prayer was answered? Enr Act #2

28. * Here is a story about how the prayer of a missionary was answered: Enr Act #2 * “A * “A remarkable young missionary leader… related an inspiring experience of when he was hopelessly lost in Petropolis (Brazil), unable to speak the native language and with no address for the chapel or the missionaries.

29. Enr Act #2 * “After * “After a fervent prayer in which he pleaded with the Lord that he must have help to fill his mission, he heard a voice which told him twice to follow the man on the corner. * “Obediently * “Obediently he followed the man as directed and was led directly to the chapel without further difficulty” (L. Brent Goates, Harold B. Lee, Prophet and Seer, Seer, p. 282).

30. * Thee, * Thee, thou, thy, thy, and and thine thine are special words we use to refer to God in our prayers. * These * These words show our respect and love for Him. * As * As we read Matthew 6:9–13, raise your hands whenever you hear one of these prayer words. * Let’s * Let’s do the same thing with the song, “I Thank Thee, Dear Father.” (Children’s (Children’s Songbook, Songbook, p. 7). Enr Act #3

31. * Fill in the blanks in the following statement by Elder Boyd K. Packer: Enr Act #4 “Some w will come from reading the,, some from hearing.. And, occasionally, when it is important, some will come by very direct and The promptings will be a and unmistakable” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, p. 30; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, p. 20). a. clearb. answersc. speakers d. scripturese. powerful inspiration

32. “Some will come from reading the, some from hearing. And, occasionally, when it is important, some will come by very direct and. The promptings will be and unmistakable” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1979, p. 30; or Ensign, Nov. 1979, p. 20). a. clearb. answersc. speakers d. scripturese. powerful inspiration * Fill in the blanks in the following statement by Elder Boyd K. Packer: Enr Act #4 clear answers scriptures speakers powerful inspiration

33. *L*L*L*Let’s memorize the following scripture about prayer: Enr Act #5 *M*M*M*Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you

34. * I bear my testimony that Heavenly Father does hear and answer our personal prayers. * I testify to the importance of saying our prayers every morning and every night. * I challenge each of you to do this during the coming week.

35. * Images and clipart are from lds.org, sugardoodle.net, Microsoft Office, and other websites indicating the images were in the public domain. * The hymn, lesson and scripture story are from lds.org. * Please do not use this presentation for commercial use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in church or home to suit personal preference. * This presentation is intended to supplement, not replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures and other resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.