by By Alison Palmer

Scripture: Mark 11:24
Song: “A Child’s Prayer,” Children’s Songbook, 1 2
Preparation: Gather a few items that make noise, such as: a plastic bag, sand paper, disposable diaper, electronic toy, or spring-activated pen. Place your chosen items in a closed box to hide them from your family’s view.

Lesson:
After singing the opening song, review the words with the family and ask them to share what types of things they think of when they sing, or what types of feelings it brings. Emphasize the truthfulness of its message; help them understand that this promise is for every child of God.

It does not say Heavenly Father only listens to moms, dads, bishops or prophets. He cares about and wants to talk with all of His children and He always stops to listen. The best thing we can do is come to Him to talk in prayer and allow Him to respond as well.

Ask each family member to relate their favorite scripture story about prayer. Discuss the similarities and difference between the stories— for instance, which circumstances or places were similar, did Heavenly Father always answer the prayer, when He did was it always the same answer or same method of answering.

Next, ask your family to think about situations they might find themselves in that are similar to the scripture stories. Identify specific times and ways that it is appropriate to pray and remind everyone that God is always ready to listen whenever we may need Him.

Tell the family to close their eyes while you use the items you prepared to make sounds for them to identify. When all the items have been identified, talk about what made it easier or harder to recognize what the sound was. These might include: how quiet the room was, how long the noise lasted, how loud or soft it was or how familiar the family was with the given noise. Remind the family that one of the greatest blessings of prayer is the chance we give Heavenly Father to talk with us as well, but we have to be willing to listen.

The ways Heavenly Father can communicate are just as different as the sounds they heard or the methods they discussed in their scripture stories. It is up to each of us to learn how to hear or feel His influence. Promise the family that as they practice offering sincere prayers and listening for answers, they will begin to recognize the ways Heavenly Father communicates with them. This method may be different for each family member because Heavenly Father knows what ways we can hear and learn from Him best.

Emphasize the need to use the same types of techniques from your game, in learning to hear Heavenly Father as well. Learning to listen better might include: being quiet before you pray; taking time to think about what you want to say; finding a special and private place to pray; praying out loud when you can; using sacred names when referring to Heavenly Father in prayer; taking time to think about what you have been praying for before ending your prayer; and reading your scriptures and attending church meetings where Heavenly Father can use other ways to answer your questions. Remind the family that the more they practice praying and listening, the easier it will be to know Heavenly Father is listening and to hear what He needs to say to us in return.

Activity:
Younger children— Play listening games such as telephone, or continue with the sound guessing game from the lesson. Let each family member collect one mystery object for everyone else to guess. Challenge each person to work harder at listening for Heavenly Father’s answers to our prayers.

As appropriate for the age of your family, a simple version of the older children’s activity, with a fabric prayer rug and markers or fabric crayons, might be completed as well.

Older children— Read and review an article by Ezra Taft Benson on prayer, (found online at lds.org: Ezra Taft Benson, “Prayer,” Ensign, May 1977, 32). Use a crafting skill familiar to your family to create a prayer reminder for each person. Ideas might include small mats or prayer rugs, wall hangings, scrap-booked cards and pictures, etc. The chosen craft should list out a reminder to improve their prayers by following President Benson’s suggestions:

Pray frequently
Find a special place
Prepare yourself
Make prayers meaningful and pertinent
Listen and work for the blessings we need

Refreshments:
Elephant Ears— (also known as funnel cakes or fry bread) made from scratch or using purchased refrigerator dough— to remind the family to open their ears and hearts wide to Heavenly Father and His messages.