This year, Bishop Waller identified four gospel principles that we should strive to master as a ward. The principles are faith, prayer, obedience, and hope. This document covers the second principle, 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.
Principles of Prayer
Our Heavenly Father is always ready to hear and answer our prayers. The power of our prayers depends on us. As we strive to make prayer a part of our lives, we should remember this counsel:
- Make our prayers meaningful. 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). To make our prayers meaningful, we must pray with sincerity and "with all the energy of heart" (Moroni 7:48). We must be careful to avoid "vain repetitions" when we pray (Matthew 6:7).
- Use language that shows love, respect, reverence, and closeness. 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.
- Always give thanks to Heavenly Father. We should "live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon [us]" (Alma 34:38). As we take time to remember our blessings, we will recognize how much our Heavenly Father has done for us.
- Seek Heavenly Father's guidance and strength in all we do. Alma counseled his son Helaman: "Cry unto God for all thy support…yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord…Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good…let thy heart be full of thanks unto God" (Alma 37:36–37; see also Alma 34:17–26).
- Remember the needs of others as we pray. We should offer prayers "for [our] welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around [us]" (Alma 34:27). We should ask our Heavenly Father to bless and comfort those in need.
- Seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost so we will know what to include in our prayers. 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). He can help us pray "according to the will of God" (D&C 46:30).
- When we make a request through prayer, we must do all we can to assist in its being granted.
- 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. He will help us in all our righteous pursuits, but He seldom will do something for us that we can do ourselves. (see D&C 9:7–8; Alma 34:28)
Personal Prayer
Personal, private prayer is an essential part of our spiritual development. At 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. Although sometimes we may need to pray silently, we should make an extra effort at times to pray vocally (see D&C 19:28; 20:51). We can also let our hearts be "full, drawn out in prayer unto [God] continually" (Alma 34:27; 3 Nephi 20:1).
Prayer is two-way communication. As we close our prayers, we should take time to pause and listen. At times, Heavenly Father will counsel, guide, or comfort us while we are on our knees. We should never give in to the idea that we are not worthy to pray. This idea comes from Satan, who wants to convince us that we must not pray (see 2 Nephi 32:8). If we do not feel like praying, we should pray until we do feel like praying.
Family Prayer
Every morning and every evening, we should kneel together in humility, giving each family member frequent opportunities to say the prayer and uniting in gratitude for the blessings Heavenly Father has given us. Through regular family prayer, our family members will draw nearer to God and to each other. Our children will learn to communicate with their Father in Heaven. We will all be better prepared to serve others and withstand temptations. Our homes will be places of spiritual strength, a refuge from the evil influences of the world.
Public Prayer
At times we may be asked to offer a public prayer, perhaps in a Church meeting or class. When we receive this opportunity, we should remember that we are communicating with Heavenly Father, not giving a public sermon. We should not worry about what others may think of what we say. Instead, we should offer a simple, heartfelt prayer.
Receiving Answers to Prayer
The Savior taught, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened" (Matthew 7:7–8). To the Nephites He said, "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you" (3 Nephi 18:20).
Heavenly Father hears our prayers. He may not always answer as we expect, but He does answer—in His own time and according to His will. Because He knows what is best for us, He may sometimes answer no, even when our petitions are sincere.
Answers to prayer come in many ways. They often come through the still, small voice of the Holy Ghost (see "Revelation"). They may come in the circumstances of our lives or through the kind acts of those around us. As we continue to draw near to our Heavenly Father through prayer, we will recognize more readily His merciful and wise answers to our pleadings. We will find that He is our "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" (Psalm 46:1).
Sources: www.lds.org (Gospel Topics)
Scripture References
Matthew 6:5–15; James 1:5–6; Enos 1:1–17; Mosiah 4:11–12; 3 Nephi 13:6–7; 14:7–8; D&C 19:38; 88:63–65
he Ward Basketball game will begin on Saturday February 28 at 11:00 AM. This time has been changed from a previously published time, so please make note of the change. You're attendance will be appreciated and will be a good time.
2. Tomorrow is the last day of the month. It should go without saying that this should serve as a reminder to get the home teaching families contacted. Reach out to them. Help them feel loved. Further, please make sure to have your home teaching reporting number ready and submitted either at church on Sunday or feel free to call or email a member of the presidency with your results. That will really make life much easier.
