Pray Always

Based on Elder David A. Bednar’s October 2008 General Conference Talk

Preparation: Cut bridge pieces apart on the lines so it creates a puzzle. Gather a pencil or pen to fill out the
family prayer worksheet. Make homemade pretzels ahead of time for refreshments.

Opening Song: A Child’s Prayer, Children’s Songbook pg. 12

Opening Prayer:

Lesson: Place the stones of the bridge that you have drawn and cut apart, except for the keystone (the stone
in the center of the bridge), in a pile on the table or floor. Ask everyone to imagine that they are standing on
the banks of a deep, fast-flowing river with this pile of stones.

- How could we use these stones to get across the river? (By building a bridge with them.)

Have someone try to put together the bridge on the table or floor.

- Would this kind of bridge be strong and stable? Could we cross the dangerous river safely?

Point out that there are gaps between the stones and that a bridge like this would collapse.

- What is missing from the bridge that would make it stronger?

Hold up the keystone. Explain that without this one piece, the other pieces of the bridge will not hold
together, however strong they are individually. With the keystone, all the pieces can work together and
support each other.

Write the phrase "family prayer" on the keystone with a colored pen or crayon. Then on each stone write the
name of one of your family members.

- How can praying together in our family be compared to the keystone in a bridge?

Read 3 Nephi 18:21.

- When has family prayer helped us and made our family stronger?

- Are our family prayers meaningful or do we rush through them as fast as we can?

Elder Bednar discusses 3 principles that help our prayers become more meaningful.
#1 As we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings
#2 As we express heartfelt gratitude
#3 As we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.

Counsel with the Lord in all of our doings

We must talk to Heavenly Father about specific problems that are on our minds (see Alma 34:18-27). When
we pray together as a family about specific problems, Heavenly Father can show us ways to help each other
that we might never have seen.
We express heartfelt gratitude

We do not need to ask for things in every prayer. Sometimes we can offer a prayer in which we only give
thanks and express gratitude. Read the following experience shared by Elder Bednar or tell it in your own
words.

“During our service at Brigham Young University–Idaho, Sister Bednar and I frequently hosted General
Authorities in our home. Our family learned an important lesson about meaningful prayer as we knelt to pray
one evening with a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Earlier in the day Sister Bednar and I had been informed about the unexpected death of a dear friend, and our
immediate desire was to pray for the surviving spouse and children. As I invited my wife to offer the prayer,
the member of the Twelve, unaware of the tragedy, graciously suggested that in the prayer Sister Bednar
express only appreciation for blessings received and ask for nothing. His counsel was similar to Alma’s
instruction to the members of the ancient Church “to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things”
(Mosiah 26:39). Given the unexpected tragedy, requesting blessings for our friends initially seemed to us
more urgent than expressing thanks.

Sister Bednar responded in faith to the direction she received. She thanked Heavenly Father for meaningful
and memorable experiences with this dear friend. She communicated sincere gratitude for the Holy Ghost as
the Comforter and for the gifts of the Spirit that enable us to face adversity and to serve others. Most
importantly, she expressed appreciation for the plan of salvation, for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, for
His Resurrection, and for the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel which make it possible for
families to be together forever.

Our family learned from that experience a great lesson about the power of thankfulness in meaningful prayer.
Because of and through that prayer, our family was blessed with inspiration about a number of issues that
were pressing upon our minds and stirring in our hearts. We learned that our gratefulness for the plan of
happiness and for the Savior’s mission of salvation provided needed reassurance and strengthened our
confidence that all would be well with our dear friends. We also received insights concerning the things
about which we should pray and appropriately ask in faith.”

We pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.

Many times extended family and friends are facing trials like sickness, job loss, etc. We can help them by
praying sincerely for them. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we take our time to think about others and
pray for them.

Activity: On the family prayer worksheet think of things beginning with these letters that you might do to
make family prayer more meaningful. The combined lists will give your family a picture of their
responsibilities for effective family prayers. For example, the lists might include f, feel humble and sincere;
a, ask in faith; m, make a commitment to live as you pray; i, invite the Lord's Spirit to be with you; or l, love
the Lord, family members, friends, and enemies.

Closing Song: Did You Think to Pray, Hymns 140

Closing Prayer:

Refreshments: Homemade pretzels (tell the story of the pretzel while your family eats these)
 The Story of the Pretzel
Taken from lds.about.com

“In about 610 A.D. a very creative Alpine Monk decided to make use of the pieces of dough left over
from baking bread. The Monk formed them into thin strips folded into a looped twist to represent the
folded arms of children in prayer.

This scrumptious treat was given to the children as they learned their prayers. They began calling the
treat "Pretiola", which is Latin for "little reward". Soon it was known the world over as a pretzel.

The secret of making great pretzels is not only in the baking but also in the shaping. We, like pretzels,
are made from the best ingredients, by the best hands available, the hands of our Father in Heaven.

Have you ever seen a broken pretzel, or one that's lost its shape? We too, can lose our shape when we
don't pray always to keep our spirituality intact. Even in the midst of our greatest trials, we must
remember, as did Job, to call on the Lord. The simple shape of the pretzel, arms folded in prayer,
reminds us to pray each day. Our "Pretiola" or "little rewards" are the blessings we receive.

Every time you see a pretzel, remember prayer. Check to see if your arms are often folded in prayer
and have not lost their shape.”

Homemade Pretzels
by Paige Holden from lds.about.com

1 Tbsp. dry yeast 2 c. flour

3/4 c. warm water 1 egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. sugar Coarse salt
1/2 tsp. salt Wax paper

Mix yeast in warm water. Add sugar and salt. Add flour and mix. Put dough on wax paper and knead
until soft. Cut off pieces and shape as you like (too thick = doughy, too thin = brittle). Place them on a
cookie sheet. Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle coarse salt. Bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes.