Detail from The Things Which He Prayed Cannot Be Written, by Casey Childs

February

Heavenly Father Wants Me to Pray to Him

Imagine how Primary children will be blessed—for years to come—if they learn how to pray now, while they are young. Not just to repeat a prayer, though they might need to start that way. But to honestly and openly talk to their loving Heavenly Father—to set the world aside for a sacred moment and connect with God. If they can do that and make it a daily habit, they will never have to feel alone in this world. If they make mistakes or feel afraid or even just have a bad day, Heavenly Father’s help is never too far away if they know how to pray. Tell your children how this has happened in your life. Then help them discover how it can happen in theirs.

See also Topics and Questions, “Prayer,” Gospel Library.

I can pray anytime, anywhere.

• The song “Anytime, Anywhere” (Hymns for Home and Church, Gospel Library) can help the children learn that we can always talk to Heavenly Father through prayer. Consider using the activity page at the end of this lesson to help them learn the truths in the song. You could let the children think of actions to go with the words.

  Tell each other about various times and places you have prayed. How did you know Heavenly Father was listening?

Heavenly Father will hear and answer my prayers.

• The following are examples of when Heavenly Father answered prayers. Share one or more with your children. What do they learn from these stories?

  • Enos 1:1–16; “Enos,” in Book of Mormon Stories, 62–64.

    Enos

  • Joseph Smith—History 1:13–17; “Joseph Smith’s First Vision,” in Doctrine and Covenants Stories, 9–12.

    Joseph Smith's First Vision: An answer to a humble prayer

  • The stories about prayer in President Susan H. Porter’s message “Pray, He Is There” (Liahona, May 2024, 77–79).

    Pray, He Is There

  Then you and the children could share with each other how Heavenly Father has answered your prayers.

Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father, and so can I.

• Sometimes, Jesus went into the wilderness to be alone and pray to His Heavenly Father. Other times, He prayed with others. Consider reading together about the Savior’s prayers in the scriptures below. Help the children find answers to questions like these: Why was Jesus praying? What happened because of His prayer? What do we learn about prayer from Jesus’s example?

  • 3 Nephi 17:21–24 (Jesus praying for children)

  • Matthew 14:15–21 (Jesus blessing bread and fish)

  • Luke 22:39–43 (Jesus praying in Gethsemane)