Prayer
Primary 1 · Social and Religious Studies
Prayer
Lesson 5 of 6
11 min
Let's begin
Niyonzima's family stands in a circle before the evening meal.
Tonight his father says, "You say the words, Niyonzima."
His mouth opens. Nothing comes out.
Today you will learn a way to build a short prayer of your own.
In many homes a child is asked to say the words.
A prayer of your own has four parts.
Part 1. Thank God for one good thing.
Part 2. Ask God for one thing.
Part 3. Say sorry for one mistake.
Part 4. Say Amen.
One thing in each part. Not three things. Not ten.
Here is what Niyonzima could have said.
Thank you God for this food and for my family.
Please help my sister get well.
I am sorry I shouted at her this morning.
Amen.
Four short lines. That is a whole prayer.
Some children freeze because they are hunting for grown-up words.
Careful! You are not supposed to borrow anybody's words.
Use the words you use every day.
Say the real name of the thing you are thankful for. Beans. Rain. Your friend.
Some families know a longer prayer by heart and say it together. Many Christian families say one called the Lord's Prayer. You do not need to learn it here.
Think of one good thing from today. That is your thank you.
Think of one thing you need. That is your ask.
Think of one small mistake. That is your sorry.
Then Amen, and you are finished.
Tip
Thank, ask, sorry, Amen
Four words, in that order, on four fingers.
If you get stuck, say only the thank you and then Amen. A short prayer is still a prayer.
Do each one, then tap Show answer to check.
Name the four parts of your own prayer, in order.
Answer: thank, ask, sorry, Amen.
Uwase is thankful for the rain on the beans. Which part is that?
Answer: part 1, the thank you.
Mugisha wants his grandmother to get well. Which part is that?
Answer: part 2, the ask.
Byiringiro says he cannot pray because he does not know the big words. Is he right?
Answer: no. Everyday words are exactly the right words.
Build your own four-part prayer in your head. Say it quietly.
Answer: check for one thank you, one ask, one sorry, then Amen.
What you learned today
Quick check
Build your prayer. Tap the four parts in order.
Tap the cards in the right order.
