Ask, and Ye Shall Recieve- Using the example of our Savior's prayers





All the above images are from the Gospel Art Book and depict instances of the Savior Praying

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Elder Andersen asks, "Do they know that Jesus often taught, "Ask, and ye shall receive?" Do His prayers of thankfulness and His pleadings to His Father flow through our children's minds as they kneel in prayer with their own concerns?

Please read the following, as personal study, before you present this lesson. John W. Welch, “The Lord’s Prayers,” Ensign, Jan 1976, 15 It's a compilation and explanation of the examples in scripture in the which Jesus prays.

Start with an opening prayer.

Sing: A Child's Prayer (Children's Songbook pg. 12)

Attention Activity: Have a jar and 30 little puff balls (or beans, whatever you have). As a family, take turns putting the puff balls into the jar and counting to 30. Is that a lot? If someone said something 30 times, would that be a lot? Try saying I love you 30 times together. Hold up the scriptures. Jesus and Heavenly Father have told us in 30 different scriptures, "Ask and ye shall receive".
(FYI- I did a scripture search on LDS.org, there were 33 results but 3 of the scriptures didn't apply)

Display all the pictures of Jesus Praying, however cut out a large chunk from each picture. On each missing piece write numbers 1 through 5, and read correspondingly from Keith B. McMullin, “Words of Jesus: Prayer,” Ensign, Jan 2003, 48 then have a family member match it to the right picture.

1. Jesus taught us to pray with complete faith and trust in God. To His disciple’s request that Jesus teach them to pray, the Savior responded: “When ye pray, say, … Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth” (Luke 11:2)
2. Jesus taught us to watch and pray always. Our natural inclination is to pray only at particular times or on special occasions. By admonishing us to “watch … and pray always,” the Lord warns us to be ever vigilant and spiritually alert to the evil around us. (Alma 34:39)
3. Jesus taught us to be divinely guided or inspired as we pray. Jesus said, “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him” (Matt. 6:8) Obtaining revelation requires faith and pondering.
4. Jesus taught us to pray with sincerity of heart.  He said: “When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites … [for they pray] that they may be seen of men. … When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matt. 6:5, 7; see also Eccl. 5:2)
5. Jesus taught us to attend to all things in prayer. Jesus’ instruction and example bear witness that we are to remember God and pray over all that we do (2 Ne. 32:9)

Have a picture of your family. Cut out a large chunk. On the back of it, write things that may concern each member of the family- worries, troubles, questions or thoughts. As we remember Jesus and how He prayed, we can pray like Him too. He's told us over and over again, (hold up the jar!!!) "Ask and ye shall receive."

Bear testimony. Close with the song I love to Pray (Children's Songbook pg. 25)