Teach Tell Me, Dear Lord in singing time using prayer puppets and a coordinating poem with actions from the Friend. Primary children respond so well to puppets interacting with each other and them.
I love to bring puppets in to singing time! Especially these hand puppets as they are SO simple to create and use!
Prayer Puppets
To introduce the song, create some boy and girl prayer puppets. Use this pattern & poem from the Friend (written by none other than Sister Pat Graham)!
NOTE: this lesson plan can easily be used without puppets if limited on time.
Use this downloadable puppet pattern to create the puppet body on white fabric, felt, or flannel (that’s what I used). Just omit the bear ears.
For the boy and girl heads, once again, Susan Fitch comes to the rescue! Glue on the heads to the fabric puppet.
Then glue the prayer poem onto the back of the puppet. This is so you can read it as you perform the little play. The poem goes like so:
What You Say | What You Do |
Some people talk face to face. | Have the puppets bow to each other. |
And when they can’t talk face to face, | Move your thumbs to the ears of the puppets. |
And when they can’t talk face to face | Have the puppets bow to each other again. |
But when we talk to Heavenly Father, We don’t talk face to face, | Have the puppets bow to each other. |
Instead, we pray. | Cross each thumb to touch the little finger on that same hand. |
The poem is available to download and print:
Access these printables at my Resource Library. Instructions for accessing the Resource Library are found at the bottom of this post.
I zig-zagged around the edges using my sewing machine to put my fabric pieces together. Then I hot-glued the head and poem on the front and back. But hot glue would totally suffice for the entire project!
This picture looks like I sewed the bottom of the puppets shut but there’s an opening to put your hand inside ;).
Gospel Art Book Pictures
You also need Gospel Art Book (GAB) and Gospel Art Kit (GAK) pictures. Then there are simple actions (which are mostly for Jr. Primary).
- Jesus in Gethsemane – “Tell me, Dear Lord, in thine own way I pray” (picture of Jesus praying in his way) ACTION: point to mouth (for “tell”) then fold arms (pray)
- Daniel refusing king’s meat – “What thou wouldst have me say and do today” – (Daniel was doing what the Lord wanted) ACTION: put arms up as if to question (what) then point to mouth (say)
- Sermon on the Mount – “Teach me to know and love thy will, O Lord” – (Jesus teaching) ACTION: point to head (know) then place hand over heart (love)
- Joseph Smith reading Bible – “Help me to understand thy loving word” – (Joseph later prayed for understanding of Bible) ACTION: point to head (understand) then point to mouth (word)
- Lehi & Liahona – “I would be guided by thy loving hand” – (Liahona provided guidance) ACTION: show hands (hand)
- Jesus with Mary & Martha – “Would hear thy voice, obey thy blest command” – (Mary & Martha heard Jesus’ voice) ACTION: cup ears (hear)
- Jesus healing blind man – “Each moment just to know that thou art near” – (Jesus was there for the blind man) ACTION: clasp hands near chest (near)
- David & Goliath – “Will strength impart and banish every fear” – (David was given strength and courage) ACTION: brush left arm then right arm as if brushing something off your clothing (banish)
Tell Me Dear Lord Singing Time Idea
Introduce the song using the prayer puppets and the poem. Tell the Primary that if we want to learn Heavenly Father’s will, we must pray and ask him. We’re going to be learning a song that talks about communicating with Heavenly Father through prayer.
Place the GAB and GAK pictures on the board and point to each image as you and the teachers sing the song. Post the words using flip charts as needed.
Point out key words for each picture (or have children pick them out) and write them underneath each picture. Then teach the associated action.
Sing each phrase with each action, gradually adding on until the entire song has been sung.
Bear Testimony
Bear testimony that Joseph Smith was able to get an answer to his prayer about what church to join by praying. Like Joseph, we can know Heavenly Father’s will for us if we pray and ask him. Then display a picture of the prophet if you like.
Check out this quick tutorial video for accessing the Resource Library:
These printables are filed on my Resource Library page under Song Title > Tell Me, Dear Lord.
2 thoughts on “Tell Me, Dear Lord”
Hi, can you give me access to your resource page? It’s not connecting with the link. We are having in person primary and I’m so grateful for your input each week! — marlowe.linford@gmail.com
Hi Marlowe!
I’ve emailed you the link. Hopefully you are able to get it.
~Camille