Prayer
Primary 1 · Social and Religious Studies
Prayer
Lesson 1 of 6
10 min
Let's begin
Keza's family sits down for the evening meal.
The food is hot. Nobody picks up a spoon yet.
Her father says a few short words out loud.
Today you will learn what those words are called.
Many families in Rwanda pray.
When people pray, they are talking to God.
Nobody needs a phone or a letter for this.
People simply speak, in their own language, with their own words.
Those special words are called a prayer.
A prayer can hold five different things.
One prayer can hold all five. One prayer can hold just one.
Some children think prayer means only asking for things.
Careful! Asking is only one part of it.
When Uwase says thank you to God for the rain, she is praying.
When Ishimwe says sorry to God for shouting, he is praying too.
A prayer that asks for nothing at all is still a real prayer.
Mugisha's grandmother says nine words before the meal.
That is all she says. Nine words are enough.
Big grown-up words are not needed.
Ordinary everyday words work just as well.
Tip
Five fingers, five things
Hold up one hand. Touch each finger and name one thing people say to God.
Tell... ask... thank... keep me safe... sorry.
If you only ever touch the finger for ask, you have forgotten four.
Do each one, then tap Show answer to check.
What do we call the special words people say to God?
Answer: a prayer. It is talking to God.
Mutesi says thank you to God for her new shoes. Is that a prayer?
Answer: yes. Thanking is one of the five things.
Gatete broke a cup. He says sorry to God. Is that a prayer?
Answer: yes. Saying sorry is praying too.
Name one thing people ask God for.
Answer: help, or to be kept safe. Both are on the list of five.
Say the five things on your fingers without looking back.
Answer: tell, ask, thank, keep me safe, sorry. Five fingers, five things.
What you learned today
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