The Power and Importance of Prayer
Importance of Prayer
Subject:
Christian Religious Studies
Class:
Primary Four
Term:
Second Term
Week:
Week 9
Age:
8–9 years
Topic:
Importance of Prayer
Sub-topic:
Reasons for Prayer and Biblical Examples
Duration:
40 Minutes
Behavioral Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- State the importance of prayer.
- Mention instances where Jesus prayed in the Bible.
- Identify what we should pray for.
Keywords
- Prayer
- Faith
- Guidance
- Gratitude
- Jesus
Set Induction
Start the lesson by asking students if they have ever prayed before. Share a brief story about how prayer can help us in challenging situations, then ask pupils to share their experiences.
Entry Behaviour
Pupils are familiar with saying short prayers before meals or bedtime.
Learning Resources and Materials
- The Holy Bible
- A chart showing praying hands
- A picture of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane
Building Background/Connection to Prior Knowledge
Ask students to recall what they learned in the previous lesson about how Jesus prayed to His Father and the importance of communication with God.
Embedded Core Skills
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Critical thinking
Reference Books
- Lagos State Scheme of Work
- The Holy Bible (Luke 21:22, Mark 3:6, Luke 6:12)
Instructional Materials
- Chart of praying hands
- Bible verses written on cards
- Handouts summarizing the lesson
Content
Definition and Importance of Prayer
- Connection with God: Prayer allows us to talk to God, seek His guidance, and feel His presence.
- Stress Relief: Praying can bring peace and calmness, especially during challenging times.
- Strengthens Faith: Regular prayer helps us trust God more and build our faith.
- Gratitude: Through prayer, we can thank God for His blessings in our lives.
- Improved Relationships: Prayer teaches patience, forgiveness, and understanding, improving relationships.
Examples from the Bible
- Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 21:22): Jesus prayed for strength before His arrest.
- Prayer for a Man with a Withered Hand (Mark 3:6): Jesus prayed before healing the man.
- Choosing the Twelve Disciples (Luke 6:12): Jesus spent an entire night praying for guidance.
Things to Pray For
- Gratitude: Thank God for life, health, family, and friends.
- Forgiveness: Ask for forgiveness for wrong actions.
- Guidance: Seek wisdom in making decisions.
- Strength: Pray for courage during difficult times.
- Others: Pray for family, friends, and even enemies.
Class Activity Discussion: 15 FAQs with Answers
- What is prayer?
- Prayer is talking to God.
- Why is prayer important?
- It helps us connect with God.
- What does prayer teach us?
- Gratitude, patience, and forgiveness.
- Who taught us about prayer?
- Jesus Christ.
- How can prayer bring peace?
- It calms our hearts and minds.
- Why did Jesus pray?
- To connect with God and seek guidance.
- What can we pray for?
- Gratitude, forgiveness, and others.
- What happened in the Garden of Gethsemane?
- Jesus prayed before His crucifixion.
- How often should we pray?
- Regularly.
- Can we pray for others?
- Yes, we should pray for family and friends.
- What does gratitude mean?
- Being thankful for blessings.
- How did Jesus show the importance of prayer?
- He prayed regularly.
- What does prayer improve in our lives?
- Relationships and peace of mind.
- How can prayer help with decisions?
- It gives us wisdom and guidance.
- What is a short prayer example?
- “Thank you, Lord, for today. Amen.”
Presentation Procedure
Step 1: Revision
- Revise the previous topic on “Jesus Prays to the Father.”
Step 2: Introduction
- Introduce the topic by explaining prayer as a conversation with God.
Step 3: Teacher’s Activities
- Show a chart of praying hands.
- Read Bible verses where Jesus prayed.
- Explain the importance of prayer with real-life examples.
Step 4: Learners’ Activities
- Pupils read Bible verses aloud.
- Discuss prayer’s importance in small groups.
- Share what they pray for at home.
Evaluation Questions
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions (15)
- Prayer is a way to ______ with God. (a) fight (b) connect (c) ignore
- Jesus prayed in the Garden of ______. (a) Eden (b) Gethsemane (c) Nazareth
- We should pray for ______. (a) guidance (b) jealousy (c) anger
… (Complete remaining 12 questions based on content.)
Short Answer Questions (10)
- What is prayer?
- Name one instance where Jesus prayed.
- List two things we can pray for.
- Why is prayer important?
Conclusion
- Summarize the lesson by reviewing the importance and examples of prayer.
- Go around the class, assess pupils’ answers, and provide feedback.
- End with a short prayer, thanking God for the lesson.
Homework:
Write down three things you will pray for tonight.
This lesson plan balances depth and simplicity, ensuring pupils engage meaningfully while developing core skills.
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