Before You Teach
A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.
Daniel was a young man who loved Heavenly Father. A king made a rule that no one could pray to God. Daniel prayed anyway, and Heavenly Father kept him safe in a den of lions. Children can learn that they can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, and that He will help them do what is right even when it is hard.
Daniel lived far from home in a big land called Babylon. He worked for King Darius, and the king liked him very much. Some jealous men wanted to get Daniel in trouble. They tricked the king into making a rule that people could only pray to the king. Anyone who prayed to God would be put in a den with hungry lions.
Daniel heard about the rule. He went home, opened his window, knelt down, and prayed to Heavenly Father, just like he always did (Daniel 6:10). The men caught him, and the sad king had to put Daniel in the lions' den. The king could not sleep all night. In the morning he ran to the den and called for Daniel. Daniel was safe. God had shut the lions' mouths. Daniel was not hurt "because he believed in his God" (Daniel 6:23). Then the king told everyone to honor Daniel's God (Daniel 6:26).
Little children can pray too. Keep the lions friendly and sleepy, not scary. Make the feeling of the lesson safe and warm: Daniel talked to Heavenly Father, and Heavenly Father helped him. Children should leave knowing they can fold their arms and pray anywhere, and that Heavenly Father hears them.
Full Lesson Flow
Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.
Activity options
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Tell the children: "Today we are going to be lions!" Have everyone stand and make a big lion ROAR with claws up. Then say, "Now be sleepy lions." Children curl up and close their mouths. Practice a few times: roar, then quiet. Ask, "What do you think could make a big lion close its mouth?" Let them guess. Say, "Our story today is about a man named Daniel, some lions, and a very special prayer."
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Tell the children: "Today we are going to be lions!" Have everyone stand and make a big lion ROAR with claws up. Then say, "Now be sleepy lions." Children curl up and close their mouths. Practice a few times: roar, then quiet. Ask, "What do you think could make a big lion close its mouth?" Let them guess. Say, "Our story today is about a man named Daniel, some lions, and a very special prayer."
Hold up a few simple pictures or objects: a pillow (bedtime), a spoon (mealtime), a toy car (in the car). Ask, "Can I pray here?" Children shout, "Yes!" Say, "We can pray anywhere. Let's learn about a man who prayed even when it was hard."
Show the picture of Daniel in the lions' den (Gospel Art Book no. 26). Invite children to copy your actions as you tell the story.
"A long time ago, there was a good man named Daniel. Daniel loved Heavenly Father. Every day, Daniel knelt down and prayed." (Everyone kneels and folds arms.)
"Daniel worked for a king named Darius. The king liked Daniel a lot." (Thumbs up.)
"But some grumpy men did not like Daniel." (Make grumpy faces.) "They tricked the king into making a rule: Nobody can pray to God. If you do, you go in with the lions!" (Gasp!)
Ask: "What do you think Daniel did?"
"Daniel went home. He opened his window." (Pretend to open a window.) "He knelt down and prayed to Heavenly Father, just like always." (Kneel and fold arms.)
"The grumpy men saw him. They told the king. The king was very sad, but he had to follow the rule. Daniel was put in a big hole with lions." (Children crouch low.)
Ask: "How do you think Daniel felt? How do you think the king felt?"
"The lions came close. But Heavenly Father sent an angel to shut the lions' mouths!" (Close mouths tight, like sleepy lions from the opening.) "The lions could not hurt Daniel."
"The king could not sleep all night." (Toss and turn.) "In the morning, he ran to the den and called, 'Daniel! Are you okay?'" (Hands cupped around mouth.)
"Daniel said, 'I am safe!'" (Big smile.) "The king was so happy. The Bible says Daniel was safe:"
because he believed in his God (Daniel 6:23)
"The king told everyone in the land to honor Daniel's God."
I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, and He will help me.
Repeat it often: "Just like Daniel, I can pray to Heavenly Father anytime, and He will help me."
Activity options
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Materials: none
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Materials: none
Materials: none
Materials: a beanbag, a paper "window" taped to the floor
Materials: paper, crayons
Show a picture of a child kneeling to pray (from the Media Library at churchofjesuschrist.org). If you would like, place it next to the picture of Daniel in the lions' den (Gospel Art Book no. 26).
Ask:
Sing "A Child's Prayer" (Children's Songbook, 12).
Gather children close. Say: "Daniel prayed, and Heavenly Father kept him safe. Heavenly Father and Jesus love you too. When you pray, Heavenly Father hears you."
Invite each child to finish: "I can pray when I..." (am scared, go to bed, eat, feel happy). Thank each child warmly.
This week, fold your arms and pray with your family at bedtime, just like Daniel prayed every day.