![]() This idea comes from Satan, who wants to convince us that we must not pray (see 2 Nephi 32:8). ![]() We should never give in to the idea that we are not worthy to pray. At times, Heavenly Father will counsel, guide, or comfort us while we are on our knees. As we close our prayers, we should take time to pause and listen. Although sometimes we may need to pray silently, we should make an extra effort at times to pray vocally (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:28 20:51). Personal, private prayer is an essential part of our spiritual development.Īt least every morning and every night, we should find a place that is free from distractions and kneel in humility and commune with our Heavenly Father. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ counseled: “Enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly” ( Matthew 6:6). He will help us in all our righteous pursuits, but He seldom will do something for us that we can do ourselves. If we have a difficult task before us, Heavenly Father is pleased when we get on our knees and ask for help and then get on our feet and go to work. Our prayers for our own welfare and for the welfare of others will be in vain if we “turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need” ( Alma 34:28). Our prayers for guidance will be only as effective as our efforts to be receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. When we have an important decision to make, He often will require that we “study it out in mind” before He will give us an answer (see Doctrine and Covenants 9:7–8). Heavenly Father expects us to do more than merely ask Him for blessings. When we make a request through prayer, we must do all we can to assist in its being granted. He can help us pray “according to the will of God” ( Doctrine and Covenants 46:30). The Holy Ghost can teach us to pray and guide us in the things we say (see Romans 8:26 2 Nephi 32:8 3 Nephi 19:9, 24). Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost so we will know what to include in our prayers. We should ask our Heavenly Father to bless and comfort those in need. We should offer prayers “for welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around ” ( Alma 34:27). Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day” ( Alma 37:36–37 see also Alma 34:17–26). Alma counseled his son Helaman: “Cry unto God for all thy support yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Seek Heavenly Father’s guidance and strength in all we do. As we take time to remember our blessings, we will recognize how much our Heavenly Father has done for us. We should “live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon ” ( Alma 34:38). Regardless of the language, the principle remains the same: When we pray, we should use words that appropriately convey a loving, worshipful relationship with God.Īlways give thanks to Heavenly Father. If we pray in English, for example, we should use the pronouns of the scriptures when we address God-Thee, Thou, Thy, and Thine, rather than the more common pronouns you, your, and yours. The application of this principle will vary according to different languages. Use language that shows love, respect, reverence, and closeness. We must be careful to avoid “vain repetitions” when we pray (see Matthew 6:7). To make our prayers meaningful, we must pray with sincerity and “with all the energy of heart” ( Moroni 7:48). The prophet Mormon warned that if anyone “shall pray and not with real intent of heart … it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such” ( Moroni 7:9). As we strive to make prayer a part of our lives, we should remember this counsel: Our Heavenly Father is always ready to hear and answer our prayers. We will be able to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that He is ready to give if we will but ask in faith. As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” ( 3 Nephi 18:19). ![]() He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer.
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