The Prayer List

When to use it

Use when prayer is part of your family’s beliefs and you want to reflect on a next step, service or personal growth.

How to use it

1. Choose a quiet, comfortable time for prayer. A child can participate in the manner supported by their family and abilities; the book describes kneeling, but the purpose is prayerful reflection.

2. Express the desire to learn, grow or help, and ask Heavenly Father for guidance in the language of your faith.

3. After praying, pause and notice ideas that come to mind. It is acceptable for no clear idea to appear; the exercise is not a test of faithfulness.

4. Write or draw the ideas without assuming they all require action. Separate an impression, a wish and an externally checkable fact in your record.

5. Discuss consequential, confusing or unsafe ideas with a trusted adult. Use the book’s opportunity questions and ordinary practical judgment before making a commitment.

6. Choose a small appropriate action, review what happened, and return to the list. Mark progress honestly and revise the list when more understanding is needed.

A worked example

A practical illustration of the method.

After prayer, a learner writes “help my brother with his puzzle” and “learn a new song.” They ask their brother whether help is welcome and choose a time to practice music. The record says these ideas arose during prayerful reflection; it does not claim that their origin can be proved or that a particular outcome is guaranteed.

Use it thoughtfully

Do not require a child to produce an impression or treat uncertainty as spiritual failure.

An idea that involves harm, secrecy from safe caregivers, or pressure on another person should not be followed because it appeared during reflection.

Readers who do not share the belief can understand the book’s practice without being told they must adopt it.

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