Family Prayer Plates

For Sharing Time this week in Primary at church, I handed out a little "Family Prayer Family Home Evening" kit. I got the idea from Braxton's wonderful Sunbeam teacher last year. She made paper plates for the Sunbeams to kneel around during family prayer as a reminder to gather regularly for family prayer.

This week's lesson (1st week in August) was about family prayer, so I decided to give one to each of the kids in primary. But as I was putting the first one together, I realized it would be a lot of work to assemble them all. So I decided to let the kids assemble them at home as (hopefully) part of Family Home Evening. *Bonus: The kids planning and carrying out a Family Home Evening lesson can be used to fulfill a requirement in the Faith in God program. Here's a link to some fun things to use in the family home evening.

I didn't print out any instructions, though, so I thought I'd put a picture of the finished product and instructions of sorts here incase any parents got the baggie and wondered "What is this?" (Also an idea of what I did incase someone wanted to do it in their ward.) So here it is:

It's supposed to be a picture and a few scriptures about prayer on each side. (The theme of the lesson centered around 3 Nephi 18:21, so that is on both sides.) So glue one picture on each side.

One side is for morning prayer and one side is for evening prayer, so draw a sun and moon, respectively.

A little poem to say what the purpose of the plate is, and some string to hang it up.

The idea is that the paper plate is hung up where you'll see it. In the morning, you see the sun, take it down, kneel around (Braxton likes to hold hands), and pray. When you hang it up after your morning prayer, you put the moon side out so you'll know to say prayer at night. Fun, simple, enjoy!

For those who want to replicate this for their own Sharing Time or family, here's what I did:

You'll need:
Paper Plate
Hole Punch
Scissors
String
Printouts
(For Sharing Time)
Gallon size plastic storage bag with twist ties (aka - bread bags)
(For Home)
Markers
Glue

Here is the poem I used (it's really optional, just thought it was fun):

Picture for Morning

Hang this plate so we'll see it each day,

And together we will think to pray.
We'll take it down,

And gather 'round.

One side for morning and one for night—

Praying together; seeking God's light.

Because we know,

The scriptures show,

Father has said, “Fam'lies will be blessed”

When together we strive—do our best—

To kneel and pray

Each night and day.

Here are the scriptures:

For morning -
*Alma 37:37 When thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God.
*Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.



Picture for Evening

For evening-
*Alma 37:37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep.
*2 Nephi 9:52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice.

3 Nephi 18:21 Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.

For Sharing Time-
I made a tag for the outside of the kit that said:
"Family Prayer Plate"
Family Home Evening Kit
http://alayinthelife.blogspot.com/2014/08/family-prayer-plates.html

Directions:

1. Print out as many copies of pictures/scriptures, poem, and tag as you need.

2. Cut everything out. (This is probably the most time consuming step.)

3. Punch hole in paper plate and poem (if using) and tag (if using).

4. Cut length of string for each kit. (Doesn't have to be precise.)
Sharing Time

5. Assemble bags with *day and evening picture/scriptures, *poem, *string, * paper plate. Twist tie bag closed and attach tag if using. You're done!
Home

5. Glue on pictures and draw sun and moon on respective sides.
6. String plate and poem, and hang on wall. Enjoy!