Prayer
“Prayer becomes meaningful as we remember our relationship to Deity”
(Elder David A. Bednar, Pray Always, October 2008 General Conference.)
(Elder David A. Bednar, Pray Always, October 2008 General Conference.)
"Not all of our prayers will be answered as we might wish. Occasionally the answer will be no. We should not be surprised. Loving mortal parents do not say yes to every request of their children… We should pray in accord with the will of our Heavenly Father. He wants to test us, to strengthen us, and to help us achieve our full potential. When the Prophet Joseph Smith was held in Liberty Jail, he pled for relief. His prayers were answered with an explanation: “All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.””
(Russell M. Nelson, Sweet Power of Prayer, April 2003 General Conference)
(Russell M. Nelson, Sweet Power of Prayer, April 2003 General Conference)
“Those who submit like a child do it because they know that the Father wants only the happiness of His children and that only He knows the way. That is the testimony we must have to keep praying like a submissive child, in the good times as well as the times of trouble. With that faith, we will be able to pray for what we want and appreciate whatever we get. Only with that faith will we pray with the diligence God requires. When God has commanded us to pray, He has used words like “pray unceasingly” and “pray always” and “mighty prayer. “Those commands do not require using many words. In fact, the Savior has told us that we need not multiply words when we pray. The diligence in prayer which God requires does not take flowery speech nor long hours of solitude.”
(President Henry B. Eyring, Prayer, October 2001 General Conference)
(President Henry B. Eyring, Prayer, October 2001 General Conference)
“a prayer of faith might include some of the following elements: Thanking Heavenly Father for the doctrines and ordinances of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which bring hope and happiness into our lives. Asking for courage and boldness to open our mouths and share the gospel with our family and friends. Entreating Heavenly Father to help us identify individuals and families who will be receptive to our invitation to be taught by the missionaries in our homes. Pledging to do our part this day and this week and petitioning for help to overcome anxiety, fear, and hesitation. Seeking for the gift of discernment— for eyes to see and ears to hear missionary opportunities as they occur. Praying fervently for the strength to act as we know we should.”
(Elder David A. Bednar, Ask in Faith, April 2008 General Conference)
(Elder David A. Bednar, Ask in Faith, April 2008 General Conference)
“Prayer is a matter of the heart. I had been taught far more than the rules of prayer. I had learned from my parents and from the Savior’s teachings that we must address our Heavenly Father in the reverent language of prayer… I had learned that it was important to give thanks for blessings and to ask for forgiveness… I had learned that we must always pray in the name of Jesus Christ.”
(President Henry B. Eyring, Write Upon My Heart, October 2000 General Conference)
(President Henry B. Eyring, Write Upon My Heart, October 2000 General Conference)
“It is difficult to separate from the confusion of life that quiet voice of inspiration. Unless you attune yourself, you will miss it. Answers to prayers come in a quiet way. The scriptures describe that voice of inspiration as a still, small voice. If you really try, you can learn to respond to that voice.”
(Elder Boyd K Packer, Prayers and Answers, October 1979 General Conference)
(Elder Boyd K Packer, Prayers and Answers, October 1979 General Conference)
“When we go to worship in a temple or a church, we put aside our working clothes and dress ourselves in something better. This change of clothing is a mark of respect. Similarly, when we address our Heavenly Father, we should put aside our working words and clothe our prayers in special language of reverence and respect. In offering prayers in the English language, members of our Church do not address our Heavenly Father with the same words we use in speaking to a fellow worker, to an employee or employer, or to a merchant in the marketplace. We use special words that have been sanctified by use in inspired communications, words that have been recommended to us and modeled for us by those we sustain as prophets and inspired teachers.”
(Elder Dallin H Oaks, The language of Prayer, April 1993 General Conference).
(Elder Dallin H Oaks, The language of Prayer, April 1993 General Conference).
“When God placed man on the earth, prayer became the lifeline between mankind and God… Each of us has problems that we cannot solve and weaknesses that we cannot conquer without reaching out through prayer to a higher source of strength. That source is the God of heaven to whom we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. 2 As we pray we should think of our Father in Heaven as possessing all knowledge, understanding, love, and compassion.”
(Elder James E Faust, The Lifeline of Prayer, April 2002 General Conference)
(Elder James E Faust, The Lifeline of Prayer, April 2002 General Conference)
“what can we do to supplement prayer, or what is our part? Let me suggest a few examples: As we pray for wisdom and knowledge, our part can be to study and apply ourselves. As we ask for health and strength of body and of mind, we can supplement prayer by living the Word of Wisdom. As we ask for protection, our part could well be to use good judgment, such as driving carefully, if we are traveling by car.When we pray for inspiration, we should live close to the Lord by keeping his commandments. The Savior said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15.) When we pray for direction, remember the counsel of the Lord given to Oliver Cowdery in the ninth section of the Doctrine and Covenants: Study your problems out in your own mind.”
(Elder Franklin D. Richards, The Importance of Prayer, April 1972 General Conference)
(Elder Franklin D. Richards, The Importance of Prayer, April 1972 General Conference)
“Prayer is the key which unlocks the door and lets Christ into our lives.”
(Elder Marion G. Romney, Prayer and Revelation, April 1978 General Conference)
(Elder Marion G. Romney, Prayer and Revelation, April 1978 General Conference)
My Personal Position Statement on Prayer
Prayer is an integral part of building that relationship with your Heavenly Father. Consider the friends you cherish and spend the time to talk to the most, are not those bonds the greatest? If we do not talk to our Father in Heaven how is that bond fortified. One should pray regularly, morning, night and anywhere in between. One should ask for forgiveness, give thanks, seek guidance and evaluate ones shortcomings through prayer. Prayer should be hearfelt and meaningful, not rushed. We must remember who we are talking to. If we were talking face to face with Heavenly Father would we address him the same way we deliver our sloppy and speedy prayers late at night. Remember who you are talking to and bring meaning to your prayers.