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Jesus Prayed with the Children

Jesus knelt and prayed with little children, and Heavenly Father hears my prayers anytime, anywhere

  • 🛡️ CTR 4–6
  • ⚡ Fast Sunday
  • 📅 Sunday, February 7, 2027
🤔 Forehead Guess🏆 Showdown
💡 The big idea

Heavenly Father always hears me, so I can pray to Him anytime and anywhere, just like Jesus did.

I can pray to Heavenly Father every day, and I can talk to Him about anything.

Study it yourself firstRead Enos 1:1–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:13–17; Matthew 14:15–21; Luke 22:39–43; 3 Nephi 17:21–24 in Gospel LibraryCome, Follow Me manualOpen this fast-Sunday lesson (Enos 1:1–17; Joseph Smith—History 1:13–17; Matthew 14:15–21; Luke 22:39–43; 3 Nephi 17:21–24)
Know the chapters

This is the February fast-Sunday lesson from Appendix B of the 2027 manual. On fast Sunday it replaces the regular Come, Follow Me lesson. Prayer is a perfect fast-Sunday topic, because fasting and prayer go together. Grown-ups who fast skip food for a little while. It helps them think about Heavenly Father and pray. Children don’t have to fast, and some may just be hungry. Keep the mood bright and skip food rewards.

The story is one young kids love: Jesus with the Nephite children in 3 Nephi 17. After He rose from the dead, Jesus visited the Nephites. When He said He had to leave, the people cried and wanted Him to stay. So He stayed. He healed every sick person they brought. Then He asked for the little children. The children sat on the ground around Him, everyone knelt, and Jesus prayed. His prayer was so wonderful that nobody could write it down. The people were filled with joy. Then He wept, blessed the children one by one, and prayed for them. The heavens opened. Angels came down in what looked like fire and circled around the children. That’s 3 Nephi 17:11–24. Verse 25 says about 2,500 people saw it.

The manual also points to other prayers. In Enos 1:1–17, Enos prayed all day and into the night and felt forgiven. In Joseph Smith—History 1:13–17, young Joseph prayed in the woods and saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself prayed often. He prayed early in the morning in Mark 1:35, and on a mountain in Matthew 14:23. He prayed before feeding thousands in Matthew 14:19. In Gethsemane, an angel came to strengthen Him. That’s Luke 22:39–43. If you have extra time, the extras include Enos and Joseph Smith.

For 4- to 7-year-olds, focus on really talking with Heavenly Father. Say hello to Him, thank Him, ask Him, and close in the name of Jesus Christ. Answers come in many ways: a calm or happy feeling, a good idea, a person who helps. Sometimes the answer is “wait.” Don’t promise every child will get the answer they want. Promise that Heavenly Father always listens and always loves them. Your 7-year-olds will be baptized soon. Point out that the sacrament prayers they hear each week are prayers too.

Only have 5 minutes?

Read 3 Nephi 17:11–24. Tape four Prayer Steps on the floor. Start with Can You Hear a Whisper. Tell the story in Teach Mode. Do Jesus Prayed Here Too and say Psalm 4:3 with motions. Hop the Prayer Steps, then end with a quiet class prayer. Brought nothing? Tap “I brought nothing” and the Prayer Steps become hand motions.

What to bring2 items

Tick what you have. Forgot something? Every step that needs a supply has a no-supplies version in the plan below.

Before class

  1. Read 3 Nephi 17:11–24. Make 4 Prayer Steps, each a big picture and a few words. Tape them in a row: 👋 DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER · 💛 THANK YOU FOR… · 💬 PLEASE HELP… · 🙌 IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, AMEN.
  2. Think of one short, true time you felt Heavenly Father heard your prayer. You’ll share it at the end.

If your class is wild

  • It’s fast Sunday. If a child is hungry and grumpy, give them the Wow Leader or Light Helper job right away. Use high-fives instead of treats.
  • Use the Noise Meter from the hook all lesson: “Can we be as quiet as a whispered prayer?” Watch the meter drop together.
  • If folding arms gets silly, say, “Jesus asked everyone to kneel, and they did.” Count to three and try again.
  • Kids who blurt out a prayer idea during class are doing it right! Say, “Save that one for your prayer tonight!”

The 25-minute plan24 min + bonus

Bonus steps are for when you have extra time. Steps that mention Teach Mode, the Sound Board or other class games refer to the Gospel Sparks app; on the web you can play Forehead Guess and Scripture Showdown from this page.

1. Hook

Can You Hear a Whisper?

3 min

A whisper and a secret thought show that Heavenly Father hears what nobody else can.

  1. SAY“Listen closely!”
  2. Walk to the far side of the room and whisper, “Touch your nose.” Who heard it? Try again with “Pat your head.”
  3. SAY“I’m thinking of a word, but I won’t say it. Can you guess it?” Nobody can! Say: “Heavenly Father hears every prayer, even the ones in your heart.”
  4. SAY“Today Jesus prays with little kids just like you!”
🌪️ Open the Noise Meter first: “Can we be as quiet as a whispered prayer?” Watch it drop together.
🐭 Noise Meter (a class game in the Gospel Sparks app)

Class screen: 🤫 Can you hear a whisper? · 👂 Can you hear it?

2. Story

Story: Jesus Prayed with the Children

7 min

A true Book of Mormon story shows that Jesus loves children and prayed for them. Heavenly Father hears their prayers too.

  1. SAY“This is a true story. It has one of the quietest, happiest moments in the scriptures.”
  2. Open the story in Teach Mode. A big-kid reader can read each caption. You read the scene. Do a motion only when it shows.
  3. At scene 5, point gently to each child as you say “one by one.” Ask: “Who could you pray for, like Jesus prayed for the children?”
  4. After scene 7, ask: “Where could you pray this week?” Listen for: in bed, in the car, at school, anywhere!
🌪️ Read Jesus’s words yourself. Nobody plays Jesus. Keep scene 6 slow and quiet, and it will feel like magic.

Class screen: 🙏 Jesus Prayed with the Children · 🙏 Fold arms and bow · 👂 He hears me!

3. Wiggle break

Jesus Prayed Here Too!

2 min

Quick moves for places Jesus prayed get the wiggles out and show kids they can pray anywhere.

  1. SAY“Stand up by your chair. Jesus prayed in lots of places. Let’s go there!”
  2. Early morning: yawn and stretch. Up a mountain: climb in place. A quiet garden: tiptoe in place. After each, say “And there He prayed!” Everyone folds arms.
  3. Last round, name places from their week: in bed, in the car, at school. Ask: “Can I pray there?” Everyone: “Yes!” Then sit down.

Class screen: ⛰️ Where did Jesus pray? · 🌅 Morning · ⛰️ Mountain · 🌿 Garden

4. Scripture

Key Verse: Psalm 4:3

3 min

A short verse with motions teaches that Heavenly Father hears every prayer.

  1. SAY“Here’s a promise about prayer.”
  2. Show the verse on your phone or tablet. A big-kid reader reads it, and everyone repeats after you.
  3. Teach the motions: point up, cup your ear, cup your mouth, fold your arms.
  4. Say it three ways: normal voice, whisper, then only the motions with no voice. Say: “Even when we don’t make a sound, Heavenly Father hears!”

Class screen: 👂 The Lord will hear when I call! · Psalm 4:3

5. Game

Prayer Steps

6 min

Kids practice the four parts of a prayer in their own words, one hop at a time.

  1. SAY“A prayer has four easy steps.”
  2. Point to the Prayer Steps on the floor. Big kids read them. Little ones say what the pictures mean.
  3. SAY“First we say hello to Heavenly Father. Then we thank Him. Then we ask Him for help. And we close in the name of Jesus Christ.”
  4. Kids take turns hopping square to square, saying their own words: “Dear Heavenly Father… thank you for my dog… please help Grandma… in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
  5. After each turn, everyone cups their ear: “He hears me!” Say: “You don’t need fancy words. Heavenly Father just wants to hear from you.”
🌪️ One hopper at a time, and everyone else counts the hops. Little ones can hold a big kid’s hand.

Class screen: 🪜 Four easy prayer steps! · 👋 Dear Heavenly Father · 💛 Thank you for… · 💬 Please help… · 🙌 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen

No supplies? Do this instead

Instead of: 4 sheets of paper, a marker and some tape (the Prayer Steps)

Prayer Motions

  1. SAY“A prayer has four easy steps. Let’s give each one a motion.”
  2. Wave for “Dear Heavenly Father.” Hand on heart for thank you. Open hands for please help. Fold arms for amen.
  3. SAY“First we say hello to Heavenly Father. Then we thank Him. Then we ask Him for help. And we close in the name of Jesus Christ.”
  4. Kids take turns. The class does each motion while the child says their own words: “Dear Heavenly Father… thank you for my dog… please help Grandma… amen.”
  5. After each turn, everyone cups their ear: “He hears me!” Say: “You don’t need fancy words. Heavenly Father just wants to hear from you.”

Class screen: 🙏 Four easy prayer steps! · 👋 Dear Heavenly Father · 💛 Thank you for… · 💬 Please help… · 🙌 In the name of Jesus Christ, amen

6. Testimony

He Hears Me

3 min

End quiet and reverent, with a promise that Heavenly Father hears every child.

  1. SAY“Let’s be as quiet as a whispered prayer. Today is fast Sunday. Kids don’t have to fast. But everyone can pray.”
  2. Share your short, true time you felt Heavenly Father heard your prayer.
  3. SAY“Jesus prayed for children because He loves them. Heavenly Father loves you too. He hears every prayer. Even the sacrament prayers each Sunday are prayers.”
  4. Share the Pillow Reminder challenge, then ask a child to say the closing prayer using the four Prayer Steps.

Class screen: 🙏 Heavenly Father hears me every time · This week: pray morning and night!

7. Game

Forehead Guess: Prayer Edition

4 minBONUS

A picture guessing game reviews the lesson, and the pictures let non-readers give clues too.

  1. SAY“Let’s see what you remember! Give clues, but don’t say the word.”
  2. Tap Forehead Guess. One kid holds your phone or tablet on their forehead, screen facing the class. Everyone else gives clues from their seats.
  3. Little ones can do a motion or a sound for the picture. Pair each little guesser with a big-kid buddy.
  4. Tilt down for “got it,” up to pass. Each turn is 30 seconds, then your phone or tablet moves to the next kid.
🌪️ Go around the room: each kid gives one clue, then it’s the next kid’s turn, so nobody shouts over anybody.
▶ Play Forehead Guess on the web

Class screen: 🤔 Forehead Guess! · Give clues, don’t say the word!

8. Game

Scripture Showdown

5 minBONUS

A fast team picture quiz reviews everything they learned.

  1. SAY“It’s Team Morning Prayer against Team Night Prayer!”
  2. Split the class in two, mixing big and little kids, and tap Scripture Showdown.
  3. Read each question aloud. Teams whisper together, then point to an answer.
  4. Tap the team that got it right to give them a point. Cheer for both teams.
▶ Play Scripture Showdown on the web

Class screen: 🏆 Scripture Showdown!

The story

Jesus Prayed with the Children

3 Nephi 17:1–25 ↗

Optional helpers

  • Wow LeaderStarts the twinkly “Wow!” from their seat when the angels come.
  • Light HelperSits by you and clicks on the flashlight at scene 6, pointed at the ceiling. No flashlight? They lead the twinkle.

Scenes

  1. ✨🌍 Jesus visits the Nephites!

    After Jesus rose from the dead, He visited people far across the ocean. They were the Nephites. He taught them all day. When He said He had to go, they cried. They wanted Him to stay. So He stayed.

    🙌

  2. 🩹🌈 Jesus heals everyone

    Jesus asked the people to bring everyone who was sick or hurt. And He healed them. Every single one.

    🙌

  3. 🧒👨‍👩‍👧 Jesus asked for the little children

    Then Jesus asked for the little children. Moms and dads brought them and set them on the ground all around Him. Jesus stood right in the middle of the children.

    🙌

  4. 🧎🙏 Everyone kneels, and Jesus prays

    Jesus asked everyone to kneel. Then Jesus prayed to Heavenly Father. His prayer was so wonderful, nobody could write it down. The people were filled with joy!

    🙌 Fold your arms and bow your head. Three quiet seconds.

  5. 🥲🤲 One by one

    Jesus was so happy that He cried. Then He took the little children one by one. He blessed each child and prayed to Heavenly Father for them. Every single child!

    🙌

  6. 👼🔥 Angels circle the children

    Jesus said, “Behold your little ones.” The people looked up. And the sky opened! Angels came down in bright light, like fire. They made a circle all around the children.

    🙌 Twinkle your fingers in a big circle: “Wow!”

  7. 💛👂 Heavenly Father hears you, too

    Heavenly Father heard Jesus pray for those children. And He hears you when you pray. You can pray in the morning or at night. You can pray at school, anywhere. He’s always listening.

    🙌 Fold arms and bow. Then cup your ear: “He hears me!”

Key verse

Psalm 4:3 ↗
“the LORD will hear when I call unto him”
In kid words: When I pray, Heavenly Father hears me. Every time!
🙌 “the LORD” = point up · “will hear” = cup a hand behind your ear · “when I call” = cup both hands around your mouth · “unto him” = fold your arms and bow your head

More verses

Mark 1:35 ↗
“rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed”
In kid words: Jesus got up very early, before the sun, and went to a quiet place to pray.
Matthew 14:19 ↗
“looking up to heaven, he blessed”
In kid words: Before Jesus fed thousands of people, He looked up to heaven and blessed the food.
Luke 22:41 ↗
“kneeled down, and prayed”
In kid words: When Jesus felt very sad and heavy in the garden, He knelt down and prayed.
Mark 10:16 ↗
“And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them”
In kid words: Jesus held the children in His arms and blessed them. He loves children!

Forehead Guess words17 words

  • 🙏 Pray
  • 🧎 Kneel
  • 👼 Angel
  • 🧒 Children
  • 🌅 Morning
  • ⛰️ Mountain
  • 🌿 Garden
  • 🍞 Bread
  • 🐟 Fish
  • 🛏️ Bed
  • 👂 Ear
  • 🤫 Whisper
  • 🙌 Amen
  • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family
  • 🌲 Forest
  • 💡 Light
  • 🥲 Happy Tears
Clues for each word
  • Pray: Talking to Heavenly Father
  • Kneel: Get down on your knees
  • Angel: They came down and circled the children
  • Children: Jesus blessed them one by one
  • Morning: Jesus got up early to pray
  • Mountain: Climb up high to pray
  • Garden: Jesus knelt and prayed in one
  • Bread: Jesus blessed it before the big picnic
  • Fish: Swims in water. Jesus blessed two of them
  • Bed: Kneel by it at night to pray
  • Ear: What you listen with
  • Whisper: Talking very, very quietly
  • Amen: The last word of a prayer
  • Family: The people you pray with at home
  • Forest: Lots of trees. Joseph Smith prayed here
  • Light: The angels came down in it
  • Happy Tears: Crying because you feel so much joy
▶ Play Forehead GuessFull screen, 60-second timer, works on any phone.

Scripture Showdown8 questions

  1. Who did Jesus ask the people to bring to Him?
    • A. 🐶 Their puppies
    • B. 🧒 Their little children
    • C. 🍕 Their pizza
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🧒 Their little children Jesus loves children. He wanted them right next to Him!

  2. What did everyone do before Jesus prayed?
    • A. 🧎 Knelt down
    • B. 💃 Danced
    • C. 🏃 Ran away
    Show answer

    ✅ A. 🧎 Knelt down Jesus asked everyone to kneel, and they did.

  3. What came down and circled the children?
    • A. 🦋 Butterflies
    • B. 🎈 Balloons
    • C. 👼 Angels
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 👼 Angels Angels came down in bright light and circled the little ones.

  4. How did Jesus bless the children?
    • A. 🎲 Only a few
    • B. ☝️ One by one
    • C. 🙅 He didn’t
    Show answer

    ✅ B. ☝️ One by one He blessed every child, one at a time. He loves each one!

  5. When can you pray to Heavenly Father?
    • A. 📅 Only on Sunday
    • B. 🎂 Only on birthdays
    • C. ⏰ Anytime, anywhere
    Show answer

    ✅ C. ⏰ Anytime, anywhere You can pray in the morning, at night, at school, anywhere!

  6. Can Heavenly Father hear a prayer in your heart?
    • A. ✅ Yes
    • B. ❌ No
    • C. 📢 Only if you yell
    Show answer

    ✅ A. ✅ Yes He hears every prayer, even a quiet one in your heart.

  7. How do we end a prayer?
    • A. 👋 “Bye, see you later!”
    • B. 🙌 “In the name of Jesus Christ, amen”
    • C. 🍕 “Pass the pizza!”
    Show answer

    ✅ B. 🙌 “In the name of Jesus Christ, amen” We close our prayers in the name of Jesus Christ.

  8. When did Jesus get up to pray in Mark 1:35?
    • A. 🌙 At midnight
    • B. ☀️ At lunchtime
    • C. 🌅 Very early morning
    Show answer

    ✅ C. 🌅 Very early morning Jesus got up before the sun came up to pray in a quiet place.

▶ Play Scripture ShowdownTeams take turns on one screen.

Songs

  • A Child’s Prayer Children’s Songbook, p. 12

    It asks the very question from today’s lesson: does Heavenly Father hear me? Find it ↗

  • We Bow Our Heads Children’s Songbook, p. 25

    A short, gentle song to get ready for prayer and calm the room. Find it ↗

  • Tell Me the Stories of Jesus Children’s Songbook, p. 57

    It’s about Jesus and little children, just like our story. Find it ↗

  • I Feel My Savior’s Love Children’s Songbook, p. 74

    Perfect for the quiet ending, after Jesus blessed the children one by one. Find it ↗

This week’s challenge

Pillow Reminder

Each morning, put a stuffed animal or a shoe on your pillow. At bedtime, move it, then kneel and pray. Pray each morning too. Use the four Prayer Steps, and thank Heavenly Father for one new thing every day.

Text the parents

Today in Primary we learned about Jesus and the Nephite children in 3 Nephi 17. Jesus knelt and prayed with them and blessed them one by one. Then angels came and circled around them. We practiced the four steps of prayer. We learned Psalm 4:3: “the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” Ask your child: what are the four Prayer Steps, and where could you pray this week?

📝 After class

What worked? Who needs a check-in this week? Jot it here on a printed copy, or in the app’s private class notes.

Got extra time?

🏹 Enos Prays All Day · 4 min

  1. Tell it simply. Enos went hunting in the forest and remembered what his dad taught him about Jesus. He knelt and prayed all day and into the night. That’s Enos 1:3–5.
  2. Everyone folds their arms. Slowly move one hand across the sky like the sun, then bring out the moon. Everyone whispers, “Still praying!”
  3. SAY“The Lord told Enos he was forgiven because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Then Enos prayed for other people too. Who can you pray for?”

🌲 Joseph Smith’s Question · 4 min

  1. SAY“Young Joseph Smith had a question. He read in James 1:5 that if you need wisdom, you can ask God.”
  2. Everyone makes tree arms from their seats. Say: “Joseph went into the woods, knelt down and prayed.” Everyone folds arms for three quiet seconds.
  3. SAY“Joseph prayed, and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ came to him. It’s in Joseph Smith—History 1:17. When we have a question, we can pray too.”

🖍️ Prayer Places Picture · 5 min

  1. Give each child a paper and crayons.
  2. Draw one place they can pray, like their bed, the dinner table, the car or school.
  3. Readers can write “I can pray here!” Little ones can draw folded arms. Take it home and hang it by their bed.

Sources

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version, the Bible used by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Tap or click a reference to open it in Gospel Library. Start with the official Come, Follow Me manual; these ideas are here to help it come alive.

All CTR 4–6 lessons