YOUTH GOAL ACTIVITY. “SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER” tent card. Youth can read the sweet words of this song and the words of Alma to know that God wants to guide them. Warn them not to wait until the end of the day or until they are in need; pray often. Sing with the youth this song to memorize the verses. Write on the back things they want to pray about.
YOUTH GOALS &
LESSON LIFESAVER ACTIVITY
SPIRITUAL
Youth GOAL
Quality Me-and-Thee Time
Spend a “Sweet Hour of Prayer” to cast my burdens to His care.
Goal Ideas
Youth can place this “Sweet Hour of Prayer” verse tent card on their nightstand to remind them of things they want to pray about during their “Sweet” hour of prayer (making a list of things on the backside they wish to pray about).
Inspiration
“If you wait until midnight, when you are exhausted, and then say your prayers, it might be only a half-hearted effort before you tumble into bed. Consider moving that prayer up to earlier in the evening, when you are alert and attentive and can make it more powerful. Prayer time ought to be quality time, not just time that happens to be left over when everything else is done—the last gasp of the day, so to speak.” – To “Hear Him” Is the Essence of the Restoration, Jeffrey R. Holland, Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
LESSON LIFESAVER Activity
“Sweet Hour of Prayer” Song & prayer list tent-card
GREAT FOR Youth Goals, Sunday School, Scripture Study, Family Night, and Come Follow Me
ACTIVITY: Youth can place this “Sweet Hour of Prayer” verse tent card on their nightstand to remind them of things they want to pray about during their “Sweet” hour of prayer (making a list of things on the backside they wish to pray about).
TO MAKE Print activity in color or black and white. Fold. Place a jewel or metal brad to secure clock hands (painting brad with colored nail polish or paint). If possible, cut out hands with heavy clear so words can show.
THOUGHT TREAT: “SWEET” Fruit Dip and Fresh Fruit Pieces. Talk about sweet things you would pray about with every bite.
The “Sweet Hour of Prayer” lyrics are below (shown on the card).
The flipside of the card shows a scripture and a space to write THINGS TO PRAY FOR.
Alma 34:17-27 Reads: “Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;
Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save. (and MORE)
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER VERSE (Hymnal 142):
Lyrics
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer.
Sweet hour of prayer! Sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
Believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my ev’ry care
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
I’ll cast on him my ev’ry care
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
GROUP ACTIVITIES
For Church or Family
PATRIARCHAL BLESSING DISCUSSION AND SACRED YEARLY LETTER:
1. Talk about patriarchal blessings and about earthly fathers—what they want for their children and what they do for their children. Discuss what Heavenly Father does and wants for His children, and things He gives us to help us. 2. Have youth write a letter of appreciation to their Heavenly Father and put it in a sealed envelope. Tell them to nourish these feelings so they will grow. Have them put the letter in their journal for one year. 3. After the year is up, have them then write another letter to Heavenly Father, expressing appreciation and love, then compare by re-reading the letter from the previous year. 4. Then have them repeat steps 2–3 and compare the feelings from one year to the next, watching their love increase.
SEND A BALLOON-LETTER HOME:
Give each youth a helium balloon and ask them to take it home. When they are alone, they can write a note to Heavenly Father on the balloon with a marker, sharing thoughts of gratitude for His plan of salvation, listing personal goals. Then they can sign it and let it soaring toward heaven, or let the air go out slowly—shrinking down, and keeping balloon as a reminder of their love for Him and that their love should never shrink.
THIS ACTIVITY CAN BE USED FOR Come Follow Me:
