How To Pray for Primary 2

Class: Primary 2
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Age: 8 years
Duration: 40 minutes
Subject: Christian Religion Studies
Curriculum Theme: Christian Religion Studies
Previous Lesson: Reasons For Prayer
Topic: How To Pray
Content/Learning Area: Right Attitude To Prayer

---

Performance Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain: Explain the correct attitude to prayer.
Affective Domain: Show respect and seriousness during prayer.
Psychomotor Domain: Demonstrate the right posture when praying.
Social Domain: Identify ways to pray humbly without showing off.

---

Reference Materials

The following resources were used in planning this lesson:

• 9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
• Abuja Educational Resource Centre Scheme of Work
• NAPPS National Unified Scheme of Work
• Online information from: cru – How to Pray: A Step-by-Step Introduction
• Relevant Textbooks

---

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

• Bible
• Pictures of people praying
• Chart showing prayer postures
• Flashcards with prayer attitudes
• Audio recording of a simple prayer

---

Rationale for the Lesson

To help pupils understand that prayer should be done with humility and respect before God.

---

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils have heard about prayer and may have seen or participated in short prayer sessions at home or in school.

---

Lesson Content

How To Pray

Prayer must come from the heart. We should not pray to show off or make noise. We should pray because we love God and want to talk to Him.

Memory Verse: When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. – Matthew 6:5

Bible Readings

• Luke 18:9–14
• Matthew 6:5–8

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Jesus said the Pharisee stood and prayed loudly. He was proud and looked down on others. The tax collector stood far and beat his chest. He asked God to forgive him.

Jesus said the tax collector’s prayer was better because he was humble.

Lessons from the Story

We learn that God does not like proud prayers. He loves when we come to Him humbly and ask for help. God hears every true and honest prayer.

Right Attitude to Prayer

The following are the right attitudes to have when we pray:

1. Be humble
2. Be honest
3. Be quiet and calm
4. Close your eyes
5. Kneel or bow your head
6. Don’t show off
7. Believe that God is listening

---

Teaching Methods

Discussion, Lecture, Storytelling, Explanation, Visual Aids, Group Work

---

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: Uses a picture of two people praying differently, asks: “Who do you think God listens to more?”
Pupils’ Activity: Respond and observe pictures
Learning Point: Sets curiosity and interest in the topic

Step 2: The Meaning of Prayer

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: Explains what prayer is and how it connects us with God
Pupils’ Activity: Listen and ask questions
Learning Point: Understands that prayer is talking to God

Step 3: The Story of the Two Men

Time: 10 mins
Teaching Skill: Storytelling
Teacher’s Activity: Narrates the story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector using Bible passages
Pupils’ Activity: Listen carefully and ask questions
Learning Point: Learns that humility is important in prayer

Step 4: Attitudes in Prayer

Time: 8 mins
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: Guides discussion on good and bad prayer attitudes using flashcards
Pupils’ Activity: Participate and list correct prayer attitudes
Learning Point: Knows the right attitudes in prayer

Step 5: Practical Demonstration

Time: 5 mins
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: Demonstrates how to kneel, bow head, close eyes and pray quietly
Pupils’ Activity: Imitate and practice proper prayer postures
Learning Point: Practices how to pray with the right attitude

Step 6: Note Taking

Time: 3 mins
Teaching Skill: Writing
Teacher’s Activity: Dictates short note on the right attitude to prayer
Pupils’ Activity: Write in their notebooks
Learning Point: Takes note of key learning points

Step 7: Evaluation

Time: 3 mins
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: Asks pupils to list right attitudes and retell the Bible story
Pupils’ Activity: Answer questions and engage in discussion
Learning Point: Checks for understanding and recall

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 min
Teaching Skill: Instructional/Cognitive Closure
Teacher’s Activity: Summarises lesson, reminds pupils to always pray with humility
Pupils’ Activity: Listen and reflect
Learning Point: Reinforces importance of proper prayer attitude

---

Home Task: Write one lesson learned about How To Pray and one suitable way to apply the teaching responsibly.

Lesson Keywords

1. Prayer – Talking to God
2. Pharisee – A proud religious man in Jesus’ story
3. Tax Collector – A humble man in Jesus’ story
4. Humble – Not proud, showing respect
5. Attitude – The way someone behaves or acts

---

Lesson Evaluation

To evaluate the learning, the teacher asks pupils to:

1. What is prayer?
2. Who are the two people in Jesus’ prayer story?
3. Which of them had the right attitude to prayer?
4. Mention two right attitudes we should have when praying.
5. Show how we should sit or kneel when praying.

---

Differentiation

Teacher will provide extra explanation and demonstrate prayer postures for slower learners while encouraging peer support from fast learners.

---

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage a prayer session at the end of class to reinforce the lesson. Be sure all pupils participate and guide them through the right attitude gently.