Lesson 37: Jesus Christ Teaches the Nephites to

Pray

Purpose

To encourage the children to

pray so they will not enter into

temptation

A Child’s Prayer 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.

Our Opening Prayer will be given by

(Enter Name Here)

Attention Activity Listen to the following story from

Elder Rex D. Pinegar about a special family prayer:

“One morning several years ago I was driving with my family to Disney world in Florida. Our four young daughters were excited as we

approached the turnoff to that famous park. The laughter and happy chatter stopped suddenly, however, as our rented station wagon sputtered and chugged to an unexpected stop on the exit ramp. Many cars sped by us in the rush-hour traffic as I tried, un - successfully, to get the car running again. Finally, realizing there was nothing more we could do, we got out of the stalled car and huddled together off the road for a word of prayer.”

“As we looked up from our prayer, we saw a smiling, handsome man and his son maneuver their bright red sports car through the lanes of traffic

and pull off the road beside us. For the remainder of the morning and into the afternoon these men assisted us and cared for our needs in many kind and helpful ways. They took us and our belongings to the receiving area for the park. In their small car it took several trips. They helped me locate a tow truck for the stranded car; they drove me to the rental agency to get a replacement vehicle.”

“ Then, because there was some delay, They drove back to where my family waited to let them know where I was. They bought refreshments for

them and waited with my family until I returned several hours later. We felt that these men were truly an answer to our prayer, and we told them so as we said good-bye and to thank them. The father responded saying, ‘Every morning I tell the good Lord that if there is anyone in need of help today, please guide me to them’” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1991, pp. 54–55; or Ensign, Nov. 1991, p. 39).

This is an example of how prayer help a family to work thru a problem.

Would you like to share your experience you had with personal and family prayer.

Have any of you experienced the power of personal and/or family prayer?

Our Lesson today is about Prayer and how Jesus Christ taught the Nephites

to Pray.

Lesson 37: Jesus Christ Teaches the Nephites to

Pray

Show the Slides Show the Video

Discussion Questions

The Nephites who saw Jesus Christ told their friends he would be back the next

day.

Many people worked very hard to get to where Jesus would be.

The next morning Nephi and the other disciples taught the group that had

gathered

The disciples then prayed

that they would

receive the Holy Ghost.

Nephi went into the water

and was baptized

Then he baptized the other disciples.

After they were baptized, the disciples received the Holy Ghost.

Fire seemed to surround them, and angels came down from heaven and

ministered unto them.

While the angels were with the disciples, Jesus came and stood among them.

Christ told all the Nephites to kneel on the ground.

He told his disciples to pray.

While they were praying, Jesus went a little way off from the people and knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father.

Jesus thanked Heavenly Father for

giving the Holy Ghost to his

disciples.

Then he asked for the Holy Ghost to be given to anyone who believed the

disciples’ words.

Jesus blessed his disciples while they

were praying.

He smiled at them, and they became as white as his face and clothing.

Jesus prayed again for his disciples.

He was pleased with their great

faith.

Christ told the people to stop praying but to keep praying in their hearts.

Then he gave them the sacrament.

No one had brought bread or wine, but the Savior provided it in a miraculous way.

He told them to study the scriptures, and he had Nephi write in the records the fulfillment of the rest of Samuel the

Lamanite’s prophecies.

Then Jesus taught the

people from the scriptures.

He told them to teach one another the things he had taught them.

Jesus went back up to heaven, and his disciples taught the people.

Those who believed were baptized and received the Holy Ghost.

The Nephites began to obey all the commandments.

Discussion Time

Discussion Time

Why does Jesus want us to pray always? (3 Nephi 18:15, 18.)

To whom do we pray?

In whose name do we pray? (3 Nephi 18:19; 3 Nephi 19:6–8.)

As we pray in faith for what is best for us, what promise do we have?

(3 Nephi 18:20.)

It is important to understand that Heavenly Father always knows what is

best for us.

Sometimes this is different from what we want.

Why is family prayer important? (3 Nephi 18:21.)

How can you help your family have regular family prayer?

What did Jesus Christ say we should do for those who are not members of the

Church? (3 Nephi 18:22–23.)

What does it mean to “hold up your light that it may shine unto the world”?

(3 Nephi 18:24.)

How can we help others

understand the importance of

prayer?

What did the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ teach the Nephites who were gathered? (3 Nephi 19:6.)

When do you kneel and pray?

How does kneeling show respect for Heavenly Father?

What are some other ways we can show reverence while praying in our homes and

classrooms?

As the disciples prayed, what did they desire the most? (3 Nephi 19:9.)

How was this gift given to them? (3 Nephi 19:13–14.)

What did Jesus say when he prayed to Heavenly Father? (3 Nephi 19:20, 28.)

Why do you think

expressing thanks is such an important part of our prayers?

What are some things you are thankful for?

How can we pray unceasingly?(3 Nephi 20:1.)

Why should we always have a prayer in our hearts? (3 Nephi

18:15, 18.)

How can prayer help us avoid temptation?

T

On the following slide, are scriptures.

Each one of you take a scripture and look for the things Jesus Christ Taught

about the Blessing that come to us through Prayer

In a couple of minutes you will be asked to tell us what you found.

T

3 Nephi 18:15, 18

3 Nephi 18:20

3 Nephi 18:24

3 Nephi 19:30 and 3 Nephi 27:30

(We will be able to avoid temptation.)

(Our righteous desires will be granted.)

(We will be examples to others.)

(Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will be pleased with us.)

(If more than 4 in the class – work in pairs) T

Let’s read the following statement from President Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth

President of the Church:

T

“There is a great tendency for us in our prayers and in our

pleadings with the Lord to ask for additional blessings. But

sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of

gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received”

(God, Family, Country, p. 199).

T

We have a little game now.

Going one at a time, let’s see who can say as many things that they are tankful

for within (1) one minute.

They can be something that someone else said, but they also have to be

something that you are truly tankful for.

Not just something to be thankful for. It has too be something that applies to

you. T

Let’s see if we can memorize part of Alma 13:28:

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his

holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye

may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and

thus be led by the Holy Spirit.”

T

5. These are the basic parts of a prayer:

a. Address our Heavenly Father …

b. Thank him for …

c. Ask him for …

d. Close in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

T

Testimony

I want to testify of the importance of daily prayer and that if we pray as Jesus

taught, we will be protected from the influences of Satan.

Our Closing Prayer will be given by

(Enter Name Here)

THE END

3 Nephi 18:15, 18

• 15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again: What desirest thou of me? But the king answered him not.

• 18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could adiscern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who bknows all things?

Return

3 Nephi 18:19

• 19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.

Return

3 Nephi 19:6–8 • 6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he

knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark aveil of bunbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the clight which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had dovercome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God—

3 Nephi 19:6–8

• 7 Therefore, what the queen desired of him was his only desire. Therefore, he went in to see the king according as the queen had desired him; and he saw the king, and he knew that he was not dead.

• 8 And he said unto the queen: He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God, and on the morrow he shall rise again; therefore bury him not.

Return

3 Nephi 18:20

• 20 And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks—

Return

3 Nephi 18:21

• 21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.

Return

3 Nephi 18:22–23

• 22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee.

• 23 And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile.

Return

3 Nephi 18:24

• 24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with aboldness, and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?

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3 Nephi 19:6

• 6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark aveil of bunbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the clight which did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God, which was a marvelous light of his goodness—yea, this light had infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his soul, yea, he knew that this had dovercome his natural frame, and he was carried away in God— Return

3 Nephi 19:9

• 9 And Ammon said unto her: aBelievest thou this? And she said unto him: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I bbelieve that it shall be according as thou hast said.

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3 Nephi 19:13–14 • 13 For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have aseen my

Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be bborn of a cwoman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit.

• 14 Now Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out according to his aprayers upon the Lamanites, his brethren, who had been the cause of so much mourning among the Nephites, or among all the people of God because of their iniquities and their btraditions, he fell upon his knees, and began to pour out his soul in prayer and thanksgiving to God for what he had done for his brethren; and he was also overpowered with cjoy; and thus they all three had dsunk to the earth. Return

3 Nephi 19:20, 28

• 20 But others rebuked them, saying: The king hath brought this evil upon his house, because he slew his servants who had had their flocks scattered at the awaters of Sebus.

• 28 And thus the contention began to be exceedingly sharp among them. And while they were thus contending, the awoman servant who had caused the multitude to be gathered together came, and when she saw the contention which was among the multitude she was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.

Return

3 Nephi 18:15, 18

• 15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again: What desirest thou of me? But the king answered him not.

• 18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled again, for he beheld that Ammon could adiscern his thoughts; but notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who bknows all things?

Return

3 Nephi 20:1

• 1 AND it came to pass that when they had established a church in that aland, that king Lamoni desired that Ammon should go with him to the land of Nephi, that he might show him unto his father.

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