PRAYER

 WHAT IS PRAYER?

We are all children of God. He loves us and knows our needs, and He wants us to communicate with Him through prayer. We should pray to Him and no one else. The Lord Jesus Christ commanded, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:19). As we make a habit of approaching God in prayer, we will come to know Him and draw ever nearer to Him. Our desires will become more like His. 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.


The following are quotes on this topic:

 President Henry B. Eyring “The Priesthood Man”April 2014

1)      “One way you will be changed by such fervent prayer is, I promise you, that you will feel truly that you are a child of God. When you know that you are a child of God, you will also know that He expects much of you. Because you are His child, He will expect you to follow His teachings and the teachings of His dear Son, Jesus Christ. He will expect you to be generous and kind to others. He will be disappointed if you are proud and self-centered. He will bless you to have the desire to put the interests of others above your own.”

2)      “We all pray, but the priesthood holder you want to be prays often and with real intent.”

3)      “Pray to Him. Thank Him for all that is good in your life. Ask Him to know what individuals He has placed in your way for you to serve. Plead that He will help you give that service. Pray so that you can forgive and so that you can be forgiven. Then serve them, love them, and forgive them.”

Russell M. Nelson “Jesus Christ-  Master Healer” October 2005 Sunday Afternoon

4)     " I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, “Why?” I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time."

Neal A. Maxwell “But For a Small Moment” BYU Fireside Address September 1, 1974

5)      “One can pray and yet not really pray. Prayers can be routinized and become very superficial. When this happens, there is very little communication and very little growth. Yet, given the times in which we live, improving our prayers should be one of our deepest desires if we are genuinely serious about growing spiritually.”

Richard G. Scott “Trust in the Lord” Ensign Nov. 1995

6)      “His invitation, “Ask, and ye shall receive” (3 Ne. 27:29) does not assure that you will get what you want. It does guarantee that, if worthy, you will get what you need, as judged by a Father that loves you perfectly, who wants your eternal happiness even more than do you.”

Elder L. Tom Perry “The Returned Missionary” October 2001

7)      The frequency of our appeals to our Father in Heaven gave us strength and courage to press forward in the work to which we had been called. Answers would come, sometimes in astonishingly direct and positive ways. The guidance of the Holy Spirit seemed to be magnified the more times we appealed to the Lord for direction on a given day.

8)      If the world has diverted us from the practice of prayer, we then have lost a great spiritual power. Maybe it is time that we rekindle our missionary spirit through more frequent, consistent, and mighty prayer.




President Dieter F. Uchtdorf "On the Wings of Eagles" Ensign July 2006

9)   In order to lift, enhance, and cultivate your relationship with God as His spiritual children, you have the unique opportunity to converse with the supreme source of wisdom and compassion in the universe.

10) Daily, simple but sincere and mighty prayers will help you lift your lives to a higher spiritual altitude. In your prayers you praise God, give thanks to Him, confess weaknesses, petition needs, and express deep devotion to your Heavenly Father. As you do this in the name of Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, you perform a spiritual effort that leads to increased inspiration, revelation, and righteousness—not self-righteousness—and brings the brightness of heaven into your lives.


Elder David A. Bednar "Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease" April 2014

11) We also will pray for the strength to learn from, change, or accept our circumstances rather than praying relentlessly for God to change our circumstances according to our will. We will become agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon 

Thoughts- by BECKY

     I have been uplifted and strengthen by the messages that I studied and read on prayer, why we pray, the power of prayer, and why it is important in my life. I have felt the strength and power of prayers offered on my behalf at specific times in my life when I have needed them. I know when I am consistent with my personal prayers, I am able to feel that closeness to my Heavenly Father as I communicate with Him. I know that prayer is an important and vital part of spiritual growth, as we exercise faith and trust in our Heavenly Father- He truly knows what is best for us. I have been especially touched as I have considered the power that prayer has been in my everyday life with my family. I pray for guidance in teaching my children, I pray for safety throughout my day. I have come to a greater understanding of what prayer means to me and how I can strengthen the way in which I pray.