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 Pray Always  Pray Always  Pray Always  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 thefamily 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 stonein the center of the bridge), in a pile on the table or floor. Ask everyone to imagine that they are standing onthe 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 holdtogether, however strong they are individually. With the keystone, all the pieces can work together andsupport each other.Write the phrase "family prayer" on the keystone with a colored pen or crayon. Then on each stone write thename 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). Whenwe pray together as a family about specific problems, Heavenly Father can show us ways to help each otherthat 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 givethanks and express gratitude. Read the following experience shared by Elder Bednar or tell it in your ownwords.“During our service at Brigham Young University–Idaho, Sister Bednar and I frequently hosted GeneralAuthorities in our home. Our family learned an important lesson about meaningful prayer as we knelt to prayone 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 ourimmediate 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 Bednarexpress only appreciation for blessings received and ask for nothing. His counsel was similar to Alma’sinstruction 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 usmore urgent than expressing thanks.Sister Bednar responded in faith to the direction she received. She thanked Heavenly Father for meaningfuland memorable experiences with this dear friend. She communicated sincere gratitude for the Holy Ghost asthe Comforter and for the gifts of the Spirit that enable us to face adversity and to serve others. Mostimportantly, she expressed appreciation for the plan of salvation, for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, forHis Resurrection, and for the ordinances and covenants of the restored gospel which make it possible forfamilies 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 thatwere 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 ourconfidence that all would be well with our dear friends. We also received insights concerning the thingsabout 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 bypraying sincerely for them. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we take our time to think about others andpray for them.
Activity:
On the family prayer worksheet think of things beginning with these letters that you might do tomake family prayer more meaningful. The combined lists will give your family a picture of theirresponsibilities 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)
 
 
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