Opening Prayer:
Lesson:This lesson is about personal prayer. It is based around Enos and his experience with prayer. This is a wonderful experience because you can use the example to teach on many levels. You should be able to draw points to teach the youngest Primary children and discussion for the most studied adult.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Ps. 119:105).
Enos had a righteous father who taught him about the power of prayer. One day while Enos was in the forest hunting, he began to feel bad about sins that he had committed. He felt an urge to pray.
“And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul” (Enos 1:4).
Enos had such a desire to receive forgiveness for his sins that he pleaded with the Lord all day and all night. At last, a voice came to him, saying, “Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed” (Enos 1:5).
Even after Enos had received forgiveness for his sins, he remained on his knees, pleading with the Lord—not for himself now, but for the rest of the Nephites.
“And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments” (Enos 1:10).
Enos still continued to pray, this time for the Lamanites, the enemies of his people. Enos grew very close to Heavenly Father by his willingness to pour out his soul in prayer.
Like Enos, we can become closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ through our prayers. We, too, can be forgiven of our sins when we follow the necessary steps of repentance and ask Heavenly Father to forgive us.
Seven-year-old Craig Parker of Spanish Fork, Utah, gained a testimony of the role of prayer in the repentance process. One day while he was playing, he said a word that he knew was wrong. He felt very bad afterward. “In our home and at church I have learned about Jesus, and I know that He would not want me to say that word.”
Craig decided to kneel and pray for forgiveness. “I folded my arms and told Heavenly Father I was sorry for saying that word. I felt better after praying. I knew that Heavenly Father forgave me, and I have never said that word again.”
Story from http://www.lds.org/
Questions:
After you do this you can discuss the way that Enos prayed.
If you have small children you can talk about the importance of praying when you need to. It doesn't just need to be in the morning or at night.
If you have teenagers you may want to focus on what Enos prayed for. It is important to realize that you should pray for your enemies as well your friends.
You may also want to discuss how Enos knew that he had an answer to his prayer, and talk about the ways that they can receive answers.
You may want to take the opportunity to review the proper prayer language and reverence with your children.
You can talk about different times in your life when it is important to pray.
You may want to share personal stories.
It is also important to point out that most important time to prayer is when you feel the least like praying. You can close by reading 2 Nephi 32:8-9.
Closing Song: "A Prayer" p 22
Closing Prayer:
It is important to have an activity and do not forget to have refreshments!
Some of this information came from http://lds.families.com/blog/family-home-evening-personal-prayer and http://www.lds.org/
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