This is a new song in the Hymns for Home and Church #1030. You can get a copy of the song here. This song is written by Sally DeFord, whom we have much to thank for many beautiful songs. Here is a link to read about her and her songs, and there are some activities and questions ideas too.
Music Method
This song has quite a few musical terms to teach such as repeats, first and second and third endings, bridges, codas etc. You really can have some fun with teaching the different parts and directions.
The first verse is pretty straight forward. You sing through that 1st ending to the repeat sign. That repeat sign sends you back to the beginning of the song for verse two. Continue singing until you get to that 1st ending. At this point, you need to jump to the 2nd ending which is the first line of the second page.
That leads you to what we call a bridge. A bridge is a section of contrasting musical material that prepares for and returns to the original material in a song. The bridge has a different melody nestled into the main melody. So fun!
At the end of the bridge, you will see a D.C al Coda. This means you return to the first of the song and sing the 3rd verse. Watch for the Coda (ending) sign. (a circle with crossing lines through it) When you get to that Coda sign, jump to the ending and complete the last line. Whew…… you just walked through this music!
Gospel Teaching
Teach Children That Prayer Is a Gift
Prayer is a gift. Teach your children that they can speak with their Father in Heaven themselves directly. What a gift that is! Prayer is the main way we build a strong relationship with Heavenly Father. As President Gordon B. Hinckley (1920–2008) explained, “None of us can really make it alone. We need help, the kind of help that can come in answer to prayer.”2
Teach Children to Pray from the Heart
Prayer is more than just words—it’s a conversation from the heart with our caring Heavenly Father. When we help our children see prayer this way, they may be less inclined to say repetitious prayers and more inclined to really think about what they want to say to Him. Naturally, their prayers will be more meaningful when they view prayer as the gift that it is.
Teach Children to Pray Anytime and Anywhere
While it’s certainly respectful to kneel when we pray, it is not a requirement to do so. We can pray anytime and anywhere. Teach your children that they can say a silent prayer for help in the middle of a tough situation or thank God when they see something beautiful in nature. Heavenly Father is ready and willing to hear us anytime we need to talk.
One family likes to have a quick “huddle prayer” as the kids rush out the door. We simply put our arms around each other and say a quick prayer for protection and guidance.
These teaching ideas were taken from the Church Website https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth/parenting/helping-children-experience-meaningful-prayer?lang=eng
Visual Aids
Here is a puzzle to help you teach this song. Cut the paper in half on the middle line, then cut each half in half on the middle line between the phrases. You can place all the pieces for verse one randomly on the board. You could have the children match the phrases. Then you sing the whole first sentence and have the students figure out which sentence goes first. Review that. Then repeat as you move through the first verse. This is what your board might look like.
1st verse puzzle pieces
When you get to the phrase, “Close as a quiet prayer” you need to teach that every time they see hearts in your visuals, those are the words they will say in the music direction that the hearts move on the page. Here is an example of the first verse completed.
As your students get to know the phrases, you can remove 1/2 of the puzzle and see if they remember the beginning or endings.
The bridge phrase is easy to recognize. The visual has a big bridge on it! Then “close as a quiet prayer” in hearts of the same color as the bridge. Here are those pictures.
Close as a Quiet Prayer puzzle download
Here is a video for you to practice with!
Happy Singing!