Planning a search ponder and pray singing time can feel a little daunting because the song itself is so sweet and reverent, and we all know how wiggly Primary kids can be on a Sunday morning. It's one of those songs that stays with you for a lifetime, so you really want to make sure the kids aren't just memorizing the words, but actually feeling what those words mean. Honestly, some of my favorite moments in the Primary room have happened while teaching this song. There is something about the melody that just settles the room, even if it takes a few tries to get there.
When you're diving into this specific song, it helps to break it down by the three actions mentioned in the title. If you can create activities that focus on searching, then pondering, and finally praying, the kids will have a much easier time connecting with the message. Plus, it gives you a built-in structure for your lesson plan so you aren't scrambling for ideas at the last minute.
Starting with the "Search"
The first part of the song is all about searching the scriptures, and kids usually love a good hunt. To get them engaged right away, I like to do a literal search in the room. You can hide little paper scriptures or pictures of the standard works under chairs or behind the piano.
Another fun way to handle the "search" element is to use a "Missing Word Search." I'll write the lyrics on the board but leave out the most important keywords. Instead of just giving them the answers, I'll tell them they have to "search" through the song to find what's missing. You can even have a few kids come up with a magnifying glass (real or paper) to find the missing word strips hidden around the room. It's a bit of a classic, but it works every single time because it gives them a job to do.
If you have older kids in Senior Primary, you might want to make the "search" a bit more literal to the scriptures. Give them a few references that talk about the word of God and have them race to find the verse. Once they find it, they have to lead the next line of the song. It connects the act of searching their actual books with the lyrics they're singing.
Creating Quiet Moments to "Ponder"
Pondering is a tough concept for a five-year-old, let's be real. They usually think it just means sitting still, which is already a big ask. To help them understand what it means to "ponder," I like to use visual aids that represent thinking.
One thing that's worked well in my search ponder and pray singing time sessions is using a "Pondering Cap" or "Pondering Glasses." You can make a goofy pair of oversized paper glasses and tell the kids that when someone is wearing them, they are looking for the "hidden feelings" in the song.
I'll ask a question like, "How do you think it feels when the Spirit touches your heart?" Then, we'll sing the verse very softly—almost a hum—to give them space to actually think. I've found that if you just tell kids to "be quiet and think," they get bored. But if you tell them we are singing a "pondering version" where we only sing the keywords out loud and hum the rest, they stay focused on the melody and the message.
You can also use a simple drawing activity. Give them thirty seconds to draw what "pondering" looks like to them. Most will draw a person with a thought bubble. It's a great way to transition into the second half of the song where the lyrics talk about the power of the Spirit.
Bringing in the "Pray" Element
The final part of the song is the most sacred, and it's the perfect time to bring the energy of the room back to a reverent place. Since the song talks about praying to know if the things we read are true, I like to talk to the kids about how prayer isn't just about asking for things, but about listening for answers.
A cool way to do this is to use a "Prayer Mirror." I'll hold up a small mirror and tell the kids that when we pray, we are talking to Heavenly Father as His children. Then, we sing the chorus specifically focusing on the word "pray." We might use simple sign language for the word "pray" (folding hands or looking up) to give their hands something to do while their hearts are focused on the meaning.
Sometimes, if the room feels right, I'll share a 30-second story about a time I prayed to understand something I read in the scriptures. Kids love hearing personal stories from adults. It makes the song feel less like a "Primary song" and more like a tool they can actually use in their real lives.
Using Movement and Visual Aids
Don't be afraid to get a little creative with how you physically move during your search ponder and pray singing time. For the chorus, I love using hand actions because it keeps the Junior Primary kids from poking their neighbors.
- Search: Put a hand over your eyes like you're looking into the distance.
- Ponder: Tap your temple with your finger.
- Pray: Fold your arms or bow your head.
- The Spirit will guide: Slowly move your hand in a waving motion like a path.
If you're not a "hand actions" person, you can use rhythm sticks or even just clap on the "keywords." However, with a song this reverent, I usually prefer things like "swaying like the wind" or using silk scarves to match the flow of the music. The melody of this song is very fluid, so anything that mimics that flow is going to help them memorize the phrasing.
Another simple visual is a "Testimony Tree." You can have paper leaves, and every time a child can explain what a certain line of the song means, they get to add a leaf to the tree. By the end of the singing time, you have a visual representation of how their understanding has grown.
Variations for Different Age Groups
We all know that what works for the Sunbeams definitely won't work for the eleven-year-olds who are ready to move on to Youth. For the little ones, keep it high-energy and very visual. Use pictures of scriptures, a picture of a child praying, and maybe a picture of a lightbulb for "pondering."
For the older kids, you can challenge them a bit more. I like to do a "Flip Chart Challenge" where I intentionally put the pages of the song in the wrong order. They have to "search" for the mistakes and fix the order of the lyrics while singing. They usually think it's pretty funny when I "accidentally" mess up.
You can also talk to the Senior Primary about the history of the scriptures or why we have different books like the Book of Mormon and the Bible. It adds a layer of depth to the "search" part of the song that they can appreciate.
Wrapping Things Up
At the end of your search ponder and pray singing time, it's always nice to end on a quiet note. I usually try to leave the last two minutes for a very soft, reverent run-through of the whole song. No games, no posters, just the kids' voices.
It's amazing how much more they pay attention to the words after they've spent twenty minutes playing games with them. You'll notice that they sing a little more clearly and with a bit more feeling.
Don't stress too much if the "pondering" part doesn't look perfectly silent and peaceful. Primary is loud, and that's okay! The goal isn't a perfect performance; it's just helping them hide these truths in their hearts. If they walk out of that room humming the tune and remembering that they can pray to know the truth, then you've absolutely nailed it. Just keep it simple, keep it fun, and let the Spirit do the heavy lifting. You've got this!