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(1/27/97)
Is it any wonder that the Lord can hear you when you whisper, even in
your secret closet? Is there any doubt in your minds about it? If man
can communicate across the continent by means of a telephone without
wires—by means of human invention, by reason of the wisdom of man, is
there any one who doubts the ability of God to hear the earnest, honest
supplication of the soul? Do not doubt any more that the Lord can hear
your prayers, when, with a small instrument, sensitive to the electric
spark, you can distinctly hear the human voice in your home received
from the ocean thousands of miles away. When you can communicate to some
one in the midst of the ocean from your home, far inland from the
ocean—do not for a moment doubt that the Lord understands all these
means of communication and that he has means of hearing and
understanding your innermost, exact thoughts. "Prayer is the soul's
sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed." It does not take many words to
ask the Lord for what we need; but we must ask in faith, confidence and
trust. It will not do to have doubts in our minds when we call upon the
Lord for a blessing. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. For
let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."
(James 1:5-7.) — Joseph F. Smith, "Gospel Doctrine," p.216
(1/28/97)
It may be that some who are under the sound of my voice today, both of
the seen as well as the unseen audience, are earnestly seeking after
truth, but have not as yet put themselves in a position to receive a
testimony of the divinity of this great latter-day work. If there should
be such, let me say to you, as I have said upon other occasions, that if
you will go into your chambers by yourself, and there kneel down and
pour out your soul to the Lord in humble prayer, he will not turn you
aside, but he will cause a feeling to come into your soul that will bear
witness to you of the divinity of this great latter-day work; and by
following the admonition that will come to you, and complying with the
commandments of the Lord, you, with us, may rejoice in the knowledge of
this great latter-day work. — Miles L. Jones, General Conference, April
1932
(1/29/97)
The Lord also commanded man--and it is well known by almost all
Christians--"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matt. 22:37). To know and
love God are sacred blessings. One of the ways that we can come to know
God and Jesus Christ is through sincere prayer. The Lord commands, "Pray
always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your
blessing--yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth"
(D&C 19:38). In the Bible we are commanded to "pray without ceasing.
"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus
concerning you" (1 Thes. 5:17-18). Prayer to God will give you power to
conquer and overcome the evil powers and influences of Satan and this
world. The Lord said, "Pray always, that you may come off conqueror;
yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of
the servants of Satan that do uphold his work" (D&C 10:5). Prayer to
God is a sacred blessing. — Bernard P. Brockbank, General Conference,
October 1979
(1/30/97)
I am convinced in my heart that the spectacle of a nation praying is
more awe-inspiring, more powerful, than the explosion of an atomic bomb.
The force of prayer is greater than any possible combination of
man-controlled powers because, "prayer is man's greatest means of
tapping the resources of God." I would like to see this nation on its
knees in humble prayer. (The Red Carpet, p. 295.) We should pray
frequently. We should be alone with our Heavenly Father at least two or
three times each day: "morning, midday, and evening" (Alma 34:21).
Someone has said that when you wake up in the morning, the first thing
to hit the floor should be your knees. In addition, we are told to pray
always (Luke 21:34-36; 2 Nephi 32:9; D&C 61:39; 88:126; 93:49). This
not only shows we should pray frequently but also continually have a
prayer in our heart (Alma 34:27). Even when the Lord's time was most in
demand, He was not too busy to pray (Luke 5:15-16). (God, Family,
Country, p. 120.) Our prayers should be meaningful and pertinent. We
should avoid using the same phrases in each prayer. Any of us would
become offended if a friend said the same few words to us each day,
treated the conversation as a chore, and could hardly wait to finish in
order to turn on the television set and forget us. (Come unto Christ, p.
26.) — "Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson," p.425-426
(1/31/97)
The Lord is near unto every one of us, for in Him we live, and move, and
have our being. We can seek Him; we can ask and receive; we can seek and
find; we can knock and the door will be opened to us; and every comfort
and blessing pertaining to the everlasting Gospel enjoyed at any period
of the world's history can be enjoyed today. But they must be sought
after by the prayer of faith, and by diligence, obedience, and by being
in harmony with Jesus Christ our living head. His spirit will permeate
the Church. His spirit will prompt His people if they will be obedient
to His laws. — Charles W. Penrose, General Conference, April 1906
(2/1/97)
We have been tried to some extent, but not to the extent which we
probably will be; there are many things in which we will be greatly
tried before we get through. Every Latter-day Saint who gains a
celestial glory will be tried to the very uttermost. If there is a point
in our character that is weak and tender, you may depend upon it that
the Lord will reach after that, and we will be tried at that spot, for
the Lord will test us to the utmost before we can get through and
receive that glory and exaltation which He has in store for us as a
people. When we think about the character of the exaltation promised
unto us, we can understand why this should be the case. What are we
striving for? What are we aiming to obtain? Our constant prayer to God
is that we may be considered worthy to receive celestial glory. That is
the prayer of every one who belongs to the Church. Every man and every
woman who prays unto the Father, who is in the habit of doing so,
expresses that desire in his or her prayer--that we may be counted
worthy to receive celestial glory and exaltation in the presence of God
and the Lamb. What a great thing to ask! — George Q. Cannon, "Journal of
Discourses," Vol.22, p.123 - p.124, October 31, 1880
(2/2/97)
Nephi said: "If ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to
pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a
man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. But behold, I say
unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint" (2 Nephi 32:8-9).
Amulek understood the importance of prayer as a spiritually rejuvenating
influence. "Humble yourselves," he said to the Zoramites, "and continue
in prayer. . . . Ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your
secret places, and in your wilderness" (Alma 34:19, 26) ' Amulek
counseled the people to pray over their flocks, their households, and
their fields (see Alma 34:20-21). "Yea.,, he said, "and when you do not
cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him
continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are
around you" (Alma 34:27). Earnest, sincere prayer is an essential
ingredient in maintaining spiritual tone. — Dean L. Larsen, General
Conference, October 1989
(2/3/97)
The Being of higher intelligence, to whom the request is directed, may
or may not grant the prayer, but some answer will be given. Prayer has
been said to be "the soul's sincere desire." Only when it is such will
the fullest answer be obtained, and it is doubtful if such a prayer is
ever refused. No prayer is unheard. . . . A man should pray always; his
heart should be full of prayer; he should walk in prayer. Answers will
then be heard as God pleases. Seldom is a man greater than his private
prayers. To become properly tuned with the guiding intelligent Being,
one must give himself to the matter devotedly desired in the form of
prayer, and then support it with all his works. Prayer is active and not
passive. If a thing is wanted a man must try to secure it. Then, as a
man devotes all of himself to the subject of the prayer, his attitude
becomes such as to make him susceptible to the answer when it shall be
sent. Prayer may be said to be the soul's whole desire. — James E.
Talmage, "A Rational Theology," pp. 76-77
(2/4/97)
It has been said in this conference that every member of the Church is
entitled to revelation. I want to testify to you, that I have repeatedly
sought God in the woods and hills of Scandinavia, in the wilds of Asia
and Africa, upon the high seas, and in many places when I have been far
away from my brethren who were entitled to give me advice: and I have
always received sufficient revelation in answer to my prayers to lead,
guide and direct me in [many] movements, and I have never been led
astray when I have sought God in the proper way. This is my testimony.
Even in the midst of political revolutions I have always known where I
stood. I have never had to take counsel direct from my brethren on
political matters. There is a God in heaven who reveals His secrets to
His servants the Prophets, and we are all Prophets in a certain sense,
if we are under the influence of the Holy Ghost, so far as that is
concerned: the most humble man or woman in the Church can get down upon
his or her knees in prayer, and the heavens will be opened in such a way
that we will understand the will of God. Our prayers will ascend to God,
and, if we are sincere and honest in our supplication, we will receive
an answer through the still small voice which will guide our footsteps
through life, and which will cause us to do the right thing at the right
time, and to take such steps as we shall not subsequently have occasion
to regret. — Andrew Jenson, General Conference, October 1912
(2/5/97)
Now, I tell you that you can make every decision in your life correctly
if you can learn to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This you can
do if you will discipline yourself to yield your own feelings to the
promptings of the Spirit. Study your problems and prayerfully make a
decision. Then take that decision and say to him, in a simple, honest
supplication, "Father, I want to make the right decision. I want to do
the right thing. This is what I think I should do; let me know if it is
the right course." Doing this, you can get the burning in your bosom, if
your decision is right. If you do not get the burning, then change your
decision and submit a new one. When you learn to walk by the Spirit, you
never need to make a mistake. I know what it is to have this burning
witness. I know also that there are other manifestations of guidance by
the Spirit. — Marion G. Romney, General Conference, October 1961
(2/6/97)
When you pray—when you talk to your Heavenly Father—do you really talk
out your problems with Him? Do you let Him know your feelings, your
doubts, your insecurities, your joys, your deepest desires? Or is prayer
merely a habitual expression with the same words and phrases? Do you
ponder what you really mean to say? Do you take time to listen to the
promptings of the Spirit? Answers to prayer come most often by a still
voice and are discerned by our deepest, innermost feelings. I tell you
that you can know the will of God concerning yourselves if you will take
the time to pray and to listen. — "Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson," p.428
(11/5/98)
"Go and plead with the Lord; ask Him to remove the darkness from your
minds, to give you the light of the Holy Spirit, that it may shine upon
your understanding, that you may comprehend it, and you will not wait
upon Him in vain." — George Q. Cannon, General Conference, April 1891,
"Collected Discourses," Volume 2
(11/6/98)
"There seems to grow upon us a film of worldliness when we move away
from the Lord. It might be like the film of grease spread over the body
of the swimmer who would cross the English Channel. It fills the pores
and covers the skin so there can be less penetration of the cold. It
might be like the skin-diver's rubber suit. But when we pierce the shell
and penetrate the covering and humble ourselves with naked soul and
sincere supplication and cleansed life, our prayers are answered." —
Spencer W. Kimball, "Prayer," "BYU Speeches of the Year," October 11,
1961
(11/7/98)
"The homes of America need also the blessings which come from daily
communion with God. Devotion in the home, which has been such an anchor
to youth and parents alike, has all but vanished. A few generations ago
it was a common practice. Then families knelt together in prayer; the
scriptures were read aloud; and households joined in the singing of
church hymns. This practice, if revived, would contribute much to the
strength of the home and the nation. The differences and irritations of
the day melt away as families approach the throne of heaven together.
Unity increases. The ties of love and affection are re-enforced and the
peace of heaven enters." — Ezra Taft Benson, "Conference Report," April
1949, p.197
(11/8/98)
"Prayer does not consist of words, altogether. True, faithful, earnest
prayer consists more in the feeling that rises from the heart and from
the inward desire of our spirits to supplicate the Lord in humility and
in faith, that we may receive His blessings. It matters not how simple
the words may be, if our desires are genuine and we come before the Lord
with a broken heart and a contrite spirit to ask Him for that which we
need." — Joseph F. Smith, "Conference Report," October 1899, p.69-71
(11/9/98)
"The promise is made to everyone. There is no discrimination, no favored
few. But the Lord has not promised to crash the door. He stands and
knocks. If we do, not listen, He will not sup with us nor give answer to
our prayers. Do you know how to listen, grasp, interpret, understand?
The Lord stands knocking. He never retreats. But He will never force
himself upon us. If we ever move apart, it is we who move, and not the
Lord. And should we ever fail to get an answer to our prayers, we must
look into our lives for a reason. We have failed to do what we should or
we have done something we should not have done. We have dulled our
hearing or impaired our eyesight." — Spencer W. Kimball, "BYU Speeches
of the Year," October 11, 1961, p.6
(10/18/02)
"We have a great generation of youth, but as I talk to many, I am amazed
and surprised at the laxity of prayers among them, especially those who
are in sin. Many have nearly ceased to pray. Their communication wires
are down. Also numerous young people in their early married days cease
to pray with regularity; their lines are sagging." — Spencer W. Kimball,
"Keep the Lines of Communication Strong," "Ensign," July 1972, p. 38
(10/19/02)
"Miracle of miracles and wonder of wonders, they are interested in us,
and we are the substance of their great concern. They are available to
each of us. We approach the Father through the Son. He is our
intercessor at the throne of God. How marvelous it is that we may so
speak to the Father in the name of the Son." — Gordon B. Hinckley, "The
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost," "Ensign," Mar. 1998, p. 7
(10/20/02)
"I am particularly gratified, and it is of great significance to me,
that I may at any moment and in any circumstance approach through prayer
the throne of grace, that my Heavenly Father will hear my petition, that
my Advocate, him who did no sin, whose blood was shed, will plead my
cause. (See D&C 45:3-5.) I rely heavily on that access to God, which
he gives to all his children, for he is indeed no respecter of persons,
and he that asks shall receive." — D. Todd Christofferson, "I Know in
Whom I Have Trusted," "Ensign," May 1993, p. 83
(10/21/02)
"But is prayer only one-way communication? No! One of the reasons
'prayer is the soul's sincere desire' (Hymns, no. 220) is because prayer
is such a privilege-not only to speak to our Father in Heaven, but also
to receive love and inspiration from him. At the end of our prayers, we
need to do some intense listening-even for several minutes. We have
prayed for counsel and help. Now we must 'be still, and know that [he
is] God' (Ps. 46:10.)" — Spencer W. Kimball, "Pray Always," "Ensign,"
Oct. 1981, p. 5
(10/22/02)
"Thankfully, we can call upon Him anytime, anywhere. We can speak to Him
in the quiet thoughts of our mind and from the deepest feelings of our
heart. It has been said, 'prayer is made up of heart throbs and the
righteous yearnings of the soul.' (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ,
Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1977, p. 238.)" — Rex D. Pinegar,
"Peace through Prayer," "Ensign," May 1993, p. 66
(1/14/04)
"When we use these sacred words, 'in the name of Jesus Christ,' they are
much more than a way to get out of a prayer or out of a testimony or out
of a talk. We are on holy ground, brothers and sisters. We are using a
name most sublime, most holy, and most wonderful-the very name of the
Son of God. We are now able to come unto the Father through His Beloved
Son. What power and reassurance and peace come when we really pray in
His name. This conclusion to the prayer may, in many ways, be the most
important part of the prayer. We can appeal to the Father through His
victorious Son with confidence that our prayers will be heard. We can
ask and receive, we can seek and find and subsequently find the open
door." - L. Edward Brown, "Pray
unto
the Father in My Name," General Conference, April 1997
(2/13/04)
"To receive personal revelation requires a constant, concentrated effort
in which we continue to petition Heavenly Father about our concerns. We
cannot become casual in our communications with Him. To do so is to
ignore the counsel to 'trifle not with sacred things' (D&C
6:12). We must follow the counsel to 'pray unto him continually by
day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night' (2
Ne. 9:52). It is not the duration of our prayers but the depth of
our desire that results in revelation." - L. Lionel Kendrick, "Personal
Revelation," Ensign, Sept. 1999, p. 8
(3/15/04)
"All of us have much to learn and need good counsel. And beyond sound
human help, beyond the 'arm of flesh,' it is written, 'Counsel with the
Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good' (Alma
37:37). 'He will console you in your afflictions, and he will
plead your cause' (Jacob
3:1)." - Marion D. Hanks, "I
Will Look unto the Lord," Ensign, Nov. 1986, p. 13
(3/21/04)
"Prayer as a means of changing the hearts of national leaders? Of
course! We cannot underestimate the power that is opened to us when all
of us-in family prayers, in private prayers, in our meetings-combine our
faith to plead with the Lord to help bring about righteous purposes here
on earth. In fact, the Book of Mormon contains eloquent testimony of the
power of prayer to open wide the doors that seem irrevocably locked." -
Dean L. Larsen, "Prayer:
The
Missionary Tool in Everyone's Hands," Ensign, Oct. 1977, p. 38
(4/5/04)
"Your prayer can take many forms. It can be sung in a hymn, or
whispered, or even thought. It can be as short as one word-'help!'-or it
could be as long as Enos's prayer that lasted all night and all day. The
important thing to remember is to pray often, talk to Heavenly Father,
seek his counsel so that he can guide you. When you draw near to
Heavenly Father in prayer, he will draw near to you. You need never feel
alone again." - Dwan J. Young, "Draw
Near
to Him in Prayer," Ensign, November 1985, p. 92
(4/24/04)
"The most important step in spiritual preparation is prayer. Prayer is a
means of seeking help and understanding. It is recognition that 'man
doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend.' (Mosiah
4:9.)" - Loren C. Dunn, "Teaching
by
the Power of the Spirit," Ensign, September 1984, p. 12
(5/24/04)
"Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord.
Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with
Him. What a marvelous and wonderful thing is prayer. Think of it. We can
actually speak with our Father in Heaven. He will hear and respond, but
we need to listen to that response. Nothing is too serious and nothing
too unimportant to share with Him. He has said, 'Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matthew
11:28). He continues, 'For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light' (v. 30)." -
Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay
on
the High Road," General Young Women Meeting, March 2004
(6/14/04)
"Would you like the power to ward off and resist temptation? If so, do
as Alma and Paul suggested: 'Pray continually,... and thus be led by the
Holy Spirit.' (Alma
13:28.)" - Carlos E. Asay, "The
Companionship
of the Holy Ghost," Ensign, April 1988, p. 17
(7/24/04)
"Faith can be fortified through prayer. Prayer is the powerful key to
making decisions, not only concerning your physical body, but concerning
all other important aspects of your life. Humbly seek the Lord in prayer
with a sincere heart and real intent, and He will help you. (See Alma
33:23; Moro. 7:9;
Moro. 10:4; D&C
9:7-9.)" - Russell M. Nelson, "Choices,"
Ensign,
November 1990, p. 75
(8/17/04)
"The family should kneel together daily in family prayer. Alma
58:10 tells us: 'Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to
God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our
enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities,
and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people.' Our
family has always needed to be strengthened-and still does-and kneeling
in prayer daily certainly helps. Children need to be constantly taught
how they should act when they mature and have their own families." -
LeGrand R. Curtis, "Happiness
Is
Homemade," Ensign, November 1990, p. 13
(12/3/04)
"Joseph Smith has given us not only
the message of the divine Restoration but also the practical how-to
steps to obtain personal and divine communication. The young Joseph
tells us of the confusion in his life. Said he, 'I was laboring
under... extreme difficulties' (JS-H
1:11). He was driven
to the scriptures to seek guidance, which he found in the epistle of
James: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God' (James
1:5).
The young Joseph said, 'At length I came to the conclusion that I must
either remain in darkness and confusion, or else I must do as James
directs, that is, ask of God' (JS-H
1:13). Joseph no
doubt also read the following words given by James: 'But let him ask
in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the
sea driven with the wind and tossed' (James
1:6). Joseph knelt to
offer up the desire of his heart. Then came a wrestling and darkness.
This was followed by the light of the divine message. The answer and
the instruction were complete and full. Is not this the instruction,
the how-to we need to obtain divine answers to the confusion and to
the vexatious problems in our lives?" - James E. Faust, "He
Restoreth My Soul,"
Ensign, October 1997, p. 2
(12/4/04)
"Brothers and sisters, as we go forward in our lives, let us never
forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is our Father.
He is accessible to us. He is the author of eternal truth, the Master
of the universe. The handle is ready, and the door can be opened to
His abundance. 'If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.' (James
1:5-6.)" - Gordon B. Hinckley, "Pillars
of
Truth," Ensign, January 1994, p. 2
(12/6/04)
"Sometimes we may feel that our spiritual edge has grown dull. On some
very trying days, we may even feel that God has forgotten us, has left
us alone in our confusion and concern. But that feeling is no more
justified for the older ones among us than it is for the younger and
less experienced. God knows and loves us all. We are, every one of us,
his daughters and his sons, and whatever life's lessons may have
brought us, the promise is still true: 'If any of you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not;
and it shall be given him.' (James
1:5.)" - Howard W. Hunter, "Blessed
from
on High," Ensign, November 1988, p. 60
(12/7/04)
"Some of the most remarkable personal revelations have been directly
related to individual study of the scriptures. For example, the vision
of the degrees of glory recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 76 came to
the Prophet Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon after the Prophet had been
studying the translation of the fifth chapter of the Gospel of John. (D&C
76:headnote, D&C
76:15-24.) Joseph Smith's First Vision came after he had
reflected on James
1:5 'again and again.' (JS-H
1:11-17.) And President Joseph F. Smith's vision of the
redemption of the dead came as he pondered over questions related to 1
Peter 3:18-20 and 4:6 [1
Pet. 3:18-20; 1
Pet. 4:6]. (D&C
138:1-11.)" - Joe J. Christensen, "Toward
Greater
Spirituality: Ten Important Steps," Ensign, June 1983, p. 8
(2/5/05)
"If you ask the Lord for help, he
will give you strength, power, and ability to overcome Lucifer and
withstand his efforts, and thus you will be strengthened and made more
perfect. We must seek the Lord's help in prayer.
"The Lord has made no promise to those who try to go it alone. As soon
as you think you can lick the devil alone, on your own, without the
Lord's help, you have lost the battle before you start." - Eldred G.
Smith, "Decisions,"
Ensign,
Dec. 1971, p. 46
(3/6/05)
"I'm reminded of something I read just the other day. Let me share it
with you. It seems that a small boy was trying to lift a heavy stone,
but couldn't budge it. His father, watching very interestedly, said,
'Are you sure you're using all of your strength?'
"'Yes, I am!' the boy cried.
"'No, you're not,' said the father. 'You haven't asked me to help you.'
"Well, let me just tell you that however tight the game seems at the
moment, I know the coach and I know that He can help. There is a
personal and loving God who knows all of the plays. He understands the
game of life. He understands you and me. And he understands what you and
I need now to help in our lives. Talking to him is an easy thing,
really. All you have to do is call time-out. Say to yourself, 'I've had
it. I need help.' And be prepared to listen. Say to him, 'I can't take
any more of this running without seeing clearly where the bases are or
the direction I'm headed.'" - Paul H. Dunn, "Time-Out!"
Ensign, May 1980, p. 38
(6/2/05)
"In a world of instant communication,
we are prone to become impatient and want instant answers to our
prayers. God always answers prayers, but He does it in His own way and
in His own time. Perhaps it is wise to remember this counsel: 'Be
still and know that I am God' (D&C
101:16)." - L. Lionel Kendrick, "Personal
Revelation," Ensign, Sept. 1999, 9
(6/24/05)
"I bear witness to you that God listens to humble prayer. If he
didn't, he wouldn't ask us to pray. Part of our worthwhile, urgency
prayers today can be a reverent, quiet, listening period. Can we not
appropriately say that he that goes to the well of prayer with faith
unwavering is daily drawing oil for his lamp? It is also possible to
help accumulate our supply in meaningful meditation." - Marvin J.
Ashton, "A
Time of Urgency," Ensign, May 1974, 37
(7/2/05)
"It is pleasing to that God whose we are when we fast and pray and
seek his blessings; when we plead with all the energy of our souls for
those things we so much desire; when, as Paul says, we 'come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to
help in time of need.' (Heb.
4:16.)
"Prayer is the way and means, given us by our Creator, whereby we can
counsel and communicate with him. It is one of the chief cornerstones
of pure and perfect worship.
"In prayer we speak to the Lord, and he speaks to us. It is our
privilege to have our voices heard in the courts above and to hear the
answering voice of the Lord conveyed by the power of his Spirit.
"Prayer changes our lives. Through it we draw near to the Lord, and he
reaches out his finger and touches us, so we never again are the
same." - Bruce R. McConkie, "Patterns
of
Prayer," Ensign, May 1984, 32
(7/16/05)
"I give you my testimony that if you sincerely apply family prayer,
you will not go away unrewarded. The changes may not be readily
apparent. They may be extremely subtle. But they will be real, for God
'is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.' (Heb.
11:6.)" - Gordon B. Hinckley, "The
Blessings
of Family Prayer," Ensign, Feb. 1991, 5
(8/21/05)
"Parental prayer is an unfathomable source of power. Parents can never
give up hoping or caring or believing. Surely they can never give up
praying. At times prayer may be the only course of action
remaining—but it is the most powerful of them all." - Jeffrey R.
Holland, "Alma,
Son
of Alma," Ensign, Mar. 1977, 81
(9/18/05)
"We need to continually take the time to communicate with our Heavenly
Father and those about us. As we share, we can make the difference in
the life and light of others. We lift as we love and as we convey our
love through communication. In the scriptures we read, 'But to do good
and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased.' (Hebrews
13:16.)
"In all of our relationships, communication should be open,
comforting, and sincere. God has invited us to communicate with Him
through prayer continually, no matter where we are or what the
circumstances. He wants to hear from us. He loves us. He knows us. He
wants to be part of our lives and to help us solve our problems. How
important it is to improve our communication with Him and with others
every day!" - Marvin J. Ashton, "Be of Good Cheer" [Salt Lake City:
Deseret Book Co., 1987], p. 101
(9/21/05)
"We are commanded to pray (Alma
34:17-27) both vocally and in secret. Secret prayer is a
personal, private communication that God has provided between us.
Elder Francis M. Gibbons wrote: 'Satan and his followers, who have
been cast out of God's presence and are dead to His spirit, are
excluded from those who, by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, may
know the thoughts and the intents of our hearts. So, in his wisdom and
mercy, God has provided a channel of communication between him and his
children on earth that Satan, our common enemy, cannot invade. This is
the channel of secret prayer. The significance of this to the
Latter-day Saint is profound, for by this means we are able to
communicate with our Heavenly Father in secrecy, confident that the
adversary cannot intrude.' (Francis M. Gibbons, "The
Dual
Aspects of Prayer," Ensign, November 1991, p. 78)
"As parents, if we teach the importance of prayer in our homes, we
must pray ourselves. We must have our family prayers morning and
night, a blessing on the food at each meal, as well as our personal,
private prayers." - Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Finding Peace in Our Lives"
[Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1995], p. 163
(10/28/05)
"The Lord will be involved in the specifics of your life if you invite
him to be. In my own life, I've seen time and again how true this is.
I may be struggling with a problem and trying all sorts of solutions.
Then, after the frustration that usually comes from relying on my own
strength, I finally humble myself and ask for help in a specific way.
I testify that consistently the Lord gives me ideas or thoughts or
feelings that help me to come to the resolution of the problem. I am
surely thankful for a loving, gracious Father in Heaven, who will
answer prayers and do so immediately." - Gene R. Cook, "Receiving
Answers to Our Prayers," p.54
11/30/05
"The time will come when we shall know the will of God before
we ask. Then everything for which we pray will be 'expedient.'
Everything for which we ask will be 'right.' That will be when as a
result of righteous living, we shall so enjoy the companionship of the
spirit that he will dictate what we ask. On this point the Lord has
said, 'He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God;
wherefore it is done even as he asketh' (D.
& C. 46:30), and again, 'And if ye are purified and cleansed
from all sin, ye shall ask whatsoever you will in the name of Jesus and
it shall be done. But know this, it shall be given you what you shall
ask.' (D. & C.
50:29-30.) Nephi, the son of Helaman, so lived. He with
unwearyingness declared the word of God. He sought not his own life but
the will of God, and to keep his commandments continually, and to him
the Lord said, '...all things shall be done unto thee according to thy
word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will.' (Helaman
10:5.)" - Marion G. Romney, "Conference Report," October 1944,
Second Day—Morning Meeting, p.56
12/8/05
"A youngster was assigned by his father to see to the moving of a large
rock. He tugged and pushed, and he lifted and struggled without avail.
Some friends were enlisted, but together they could not move it.
Reluctantly he reported to his father that he could not budge the rock.
"'Have you done all you could?' asked the father.
"'Yes,' said the little boy.
"'Have you tried everything?' persisted the father.
"'Yes,' said the boy. 'I've tried everything.'
"'No, son, you haven't,' said his dad. 'You haven't asked me.'
"Why do so many of us, heirs of God, joint heirs with Christ, fail to go
to him, to keep in touch with our Father? He is anxious to help. But he
wants us to learn our need for him, to open the door to him." - Marion
D. Hanks, "Joy
through
Christ," Ensign (CR), July 1972, p.104
12/13/05
"I wonder if we ever stop to think why the Lord has asked us to pray.
Did he ask us to pray because he wants us to bow down and worship him?
Is that the main reason? I don't think it is. He is our Heavenly Father,
and we have been commanded to worship him and pray to him in the name of
his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. But the Lord can get along without our
prayers. His work will go on just the same, whether we pray or whether
we do not. He knows the end from the beginning. There are many worlds
that have passed through the same experience that we are going through.
He has had sons and daughters on other earths, where they have had the
same privileges and the same opportunities to serve him and the same
commandments that we have had given to us. Prayer is something that we
need, not that the Lord needs. He knows just how to conduct his affairs
and how to take care of them without any help from us. Our prayers are
not for the purpose of telling him how to run his business. If we have
any such idea as that, then of course we have the wrong idea. Our
prayers are uttered more for our sakes, to build us up and give us
strength and courage, and to increase our faith in him." - Joseph
Fielding Smith, "Conference Report," April 1968, First Day—Morning
Meeting, p.10
12/14/05
"At times you young women may feel you are having an experience like
Nephi. The Lord has not asked you to build a ship, but to build your
life. You don't yet know what your completed mortal life looks like. But
your Father in Heaven knows and can guide you one step at a time. He is
asking you to build your life according to His guidelines because He is
the One who created you and wants you ready to return back home with Him
someday. Like Nephi, you too may have detractors and dissenters seeking
to change your course, or at least slow down your progress.
"But you have access to the same system of communication that Nephi
used. Long before e-mail and faxes, cell phones and satellite dishes,
computers and the Internet, this communication with your Heavenly Father
was in place. It predates every type of networking invention today. Its
power extends through the cosmos." - Sharon G. Larsen, "Your
Celestial
Guide," Ensign (CR), May 2001, p.86
1/16/06
Topic: Don't Go It Alone
"Never assume that you can make it alone. You need the help of the Lord.
Never hesitate to get on your knees in some private place and speak with
Him. What a marvelous and wonderful thing is prayer. Think of it. We can
actually speak with our Father in Heaven. He will hear and respond, but
we need to listen to that response. Nothing is too serious and nothing
too unimportant to share with Him. He has said, 'Come unto me, all ye
that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest' (Matt.
11:28). He continues, 'For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light' (Matt. 11:30)."
- Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay
on
the High Road," Ensign (CR), May 2004, p.112
1/19/06
"Many prayers are spoken while we are on our knees. The Savior knelt as
He prayed to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane. (See Luke
22:41.) But silent prayers of the heart also reach to heaven. We
sing, 'Prayer is the souls sincere desire, Uttered or unexpressed.'
(Hymns, no. 145.) Sincere prayers come from the heart. Indeed, sincerity
requires that we draw from the earnest feelings of our hearts when we
pray rather than using vain repetitions or pretentious affectations such
as those condemned by the Savior in the parable of the Pharisee and the
publican. (See Luke
18:10-14.) Our prayers then truly become the 'song of the heart'
and a 'prayer,' (D&C
25:12.) not only reaching God but touching the hearts of others as
well." - James E. Faust, "The
Lifeline
of Prayer," Ensign (CR), May 2002, p.59
2/1/06
"Perhaps the most important lesson young Joseph learned in the Sacred
Grove is this significant eternal truth: the heavens are not sealed. God
does communicate with mortals. He loves us today just as much as He
loved those who lived anciently. What comfort that sweet assurance
provides in a world filled with confusion and discouragement! What peace
and security come to the heart that understands that God in heaven knows
us and cares about us, individually and collectively, and that He
communicates with us, either directly or through His living prophets,
according to our needs." - M. Russell Ballard, "Restored
Truth," Ensign (CR), November 1994, p.65
2/17/06
"Obviously, secret prayer is necessary in many cases where it is awkward
or infeasible to pray vocally. So, if we are in a social or a business
setting and need comfort or direction, a resort to secret prayer is
often our only alternative.
"But a more significant reason for praying secretly is found in the
Doctrine and Covenants, section 6, where it is written, 'Yea, I tell
thee, that thou mayest know that there is none else save God that
knowest thy thoughts and the intents of thy heart.' (D&C
6:16.)
"Other scriptures broaden this concept to include not only God, but
those whom God inspires. So Zeezrom, the crafty lawyer who was taught by
Alma and Amulek, became convinced 'that they knew the thoughts and
intents of his heart; for power was given unto them that they might know
of these things according to the spirit of prophecy.' (Alma
12:7.)
"It is clear, then, that Satan and his followers, who have been cast out
of God's presence and are dead to His Spirit, are excluded from those
who, by the spirit of prophecy and revelation, may know the thoughts and
the intents of our hearts. So, in his wisdom and mercy, God has provided
a channel of communication between him and his children on earth that
Satan, our common enemy, cannot invade. This is the channel of secret
prayer. The significance of this to the Latter-day Saint is profound,
for by this means we are able to communicate with our Heavenly Father in
secrecy, confident that the adversary cannot intrude." - Francis M.
Gibbons, "The
Dual
Aspects of Prayer," Ensign (CR), November 1991, p.78
3/22/06
"... to Thomas B. Marsh [the Lord said]: 'Pray always, lest you enter
into temptation and lose your reward.' (D&C
31:12.)...
"The purpose of prayer... is not to appease a vindictive Deity; nor is
it to court favors from an indulgent Father. It is to attune oneself
with the spirit or light which 'proceedeth forth from the presence of
God to fill the immensity of space.' (D&C
88:12.) In that light is to be found sure answers to all our
needs." - Marion G. Romney, "Prayer
and
Revelation," Ensign (CR), May 1978, p.48
3/31/06
"We remember His counsel: 'When thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in
the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
"'But thou, when thou prayest,... pray to thy Father which is in secret;
and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. (Matt.
6:5-6.)
"This guiding instruction has helped troubled souls discover the peace
for which they fervently yearn and earnestly hope.
"Unfortunately, prosperity, abundance, honor, and praise lead some men
to the false security of haughty self-assurance and the abandonment of
the inclination to pray. Conversely, trial, tribulation, sickness, and
death crumble the castles of men's pride and bring them to their knees
to petition for power from on high." - Thomas S. Monson, "The
Prayer
of Faith," Ensign (CR), May 1978, p.20
4/3/06
"A constant expression of gratitude should be included in all our
prayers. Often prayers are given for specific blessings which we, in our
incomplete understanding, believe we need. While the Lord does answer
prayers according to His will, He certainly must be pleased when we
offer humble prayers of gratitude." - Steven E. Snow, "Gratitude,"
Ensign
(CR), November 2001, p.43
4/11/06
"When you pray—when you talk to your Heavenly Father—do you really talk
out your problems with Him? Do you let Him know your feelings, your
doubts, your insecurities, your joys, your deepest desires—or is prayer
merely an habitual expression with the same words and phrases? Do you
ponder what you really mean to say? Do you take time to listen to the
promptings of the Spirit? Answers to prayer come most often by a still
voice and are discerned by our deepest, innermost feelings. I tell you
that you can know the will of God concerning yourselves if you will take
the time to pray and to listen." - Ezra Taft Benson, "A
Message to the Rising Generation," Ensign (CR), November 1977,
p.30
4/26/06
"Now, when to pray: Generally, I think we might say that we should pray
in secret, with our families, and in worship meetings and public
assemblies.
"Secret prayer should have a place in every persons life. Again the
Savior gave us the pattern when he said: '...when thou prayest,
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.' (Matt.
6:6.)
"The Prophet Joseph Smith, speaking on this subject, stated: 'We would
say to the brethren, seek to know God in your closets, call upon him in
the fields. Follow the directions of the Book of Mormon, and pray over,
and for your families, your cattle, your flocks, your herds, your corn,
and all things that you possess; ask the blessing of God upon all your
labors, and everything that you engage in.' (DHC, vol. 5, p. 31.)" -
Franklin D. Richards, "The
Importance
of Prayer," Ensign (CR), July 1972, p.66
4/30/06
"Prayer is one of the greatest blessings we have while here on earth.
Through prayer we can communicate with our Heavenly Father and seek His
guidance daily. Jesus taught, 'Ye must always pray unto the Father in my
name' (3 Ne. 18:19).
We should pray each day that we will have the power to resist
temptation. Amulek teaches us that we should pray 'morning, mid-day, and
evening' and that our hearts should 'be full, drawn out in prayer unto
[God] continually' (Alma
34:21, 27). Our daily prayers influence our thoughts, our words,
and our actions. In order to retain a remission of our sins, it is
essential that we ask our Heavenly Father each day for strength to stay
in the straight and narrow way." - Keith Crockett, "Retaining
a
Remission of Sin," Ensign (CR), November 2000, p.77
5/6/06
"The pattern for seeking answers from God is simple to explain yet much
more personal when applied. To begin, we are invited to study in our
minds and ponder in our hearts those things that we most desire of Him.
(See D&C 9:7-8;
Moro. 10:3.) This
process of reflection brings clarity and inspiration to our souls. We
are then instructed to present our thoughts and desires directly to
Heavenly Father in humble prayer with the promise that, if we ask Him in
the name of Christ, if what we are seeking is right, and if we 'ask with
a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will
manifest the truth of it unto [us], by the power of the Holy Ghost,' for
it is 'by the power of the Holy Ghost' that we 'know the truth of all
things.' (Moro. 10:4-5.)"
- Craig C. Christensen, "Seek,
and
Ye Shall Find," Ensign (CR), May 2003, p.33
5/30/06
"To be effective, prayers must not consist of words alone. Earnest
prayers must have an appropriate blend of earnest feeling and spirit. It
is the spirit that not only teaches a man to pray, but also makes his
heartfelt desires acceptable and conveyable. If a contrite spirit and a
broken heart are united with faith unwavering, our prayers, no matter
how simple the words, will be significant." - Marvin J. Ashton,
"Personal Prayers," Prayer , p.77
8/14/06
"If you're praying for something that really matters, you can count on
the fact that the devil will get involved. He's eager to do what he can
to thwart you. He will do his best to dissuade you from going forward.
He'll give you such thoughts as "You can't do it. You're not worthy
enough. Your family's got too many problems. You can't do what the Lord
requires." He'll engineer whatever he can to try to make you doubt. So
you may as well know up front that he is going to tempt you.
"When you attract the devil's attention and he starts to give you more
opposition than you normally have, that's a great sign that you're on a
course that pleases God and displeases Satan.
"I've found that when you begin to pray for something that really
matters, many times things get worse, not better. Often the cause is
Satan and his helpers, who are doing their best to make sure you don't
succeed. That ought to be a signal to a man or woman of faith: "I'm on
the right track. I'm doing something that's making a difference and I
will now double my faith." If you can increase your faith in that
moment, you will have won most of the battle." - Gene R. Cook,
"Receiving Answers to Our Prayers," p.136-137
8/19/06
"Jesus counseled, 'Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea,
that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the
servants of Satan that do uphold his work.' (D&C
10:5.)
"In our individual prayers we should sincerely ask our Father in heaven
to help us meet and conquer the temptations of this life, and ask him to
deliver us from evil. We have been commanded to ask.
"Proper sincere prayer to a living Father in heaven, through a living
Savior and Mediator, is essential for protection from the power and evil
influence of the devil. It is very important for the Saints to know that
during today's perilous times when peace has been taken from the earth,
and Satan has power over his own dominion and over all that will not
hearken unto the voice of God, that the Lord gave these comforting
words, 'The Lord shall have power over his saints, and shall reign
in their midst, and shall come down in judgment upon the world.' (D&C
1:36.)" - Bernard P. Brockbank, "Hearken
Unto
the Voice of God," Ensign (CR), May 1974, p.113
9/1/06
"When one of our daughters was about three years old, she did something
that always delighted her parents. When we called her name, she would
usually answer by saying, 'Here me is.' This childish reply was among
the sweetest things her parents heard. But when she was grown, we
expected her to use appropriate language when she spoke, and of course
she did. As the Apostle Paul said, 'When I was a child, I spake as a
child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became
a man, I put away childish things.' (1
Cor. 13:11.)
"The same is true of prayer. Our earliest efforts will be heard with joy
by our Heavenly Father, however they are phrased. They will be heard in
the same way by loving members of our church. But as we gain experience
as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we need
to become more mature in all of our efforts, including our prayers.
"Men and women who wish to show respect will take the time to learn the
special language of prayer. Persons spend many hours mastering
communication skills in other mediums, such as poetry or prose, vocal or
instrumental music, and even the language of access to computers. My
brothers and sisters, the manner of addressing our Heavenly Father in
prayer is at least as important as these." - Dallin H. Oaks, "The
Language
of Prayer," Ensign (CR), May 1993, p.15
9/20/06
"Just as the Savior stood ready to help this father whose son was 'sore
vexed,' (Matt.
17:15.) so is He ready to help our unbelief today so that with
faith we can survive our mortal struggles and 'come off conqueror.' (D&C
10:5.)" - L. Whitney Clayton, "Help
Thou
Mine Unbelief," Ensign (CR), November 2001, p.28
9/28/06
"When we pray, we should not presume to give counsel but should inquire
of the Lord [The Lord said, 'If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive
revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge' (D&C
42:61.) The Lord explained that 'you must study it out in your
mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will
cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel
that it is right. But if it be not right you shall have no such
feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought' (D&C
9:8–9).] and hearken to His counsel. Joseph Smith's first prayer
ushered in the Restoration of the gospel. In 1833, he received the Word
of Wisdom after asking the Lord for counsel. The revelation on the
priesthood received in 1978 by President Spencer W. Kimball came after
intense inquiry. Inspiration regarding the construction of smaller
temples came after the pondering of President Gordon B. Hinckley." -
Russell M. Nelson, "Where
Is
Wisdom?" Ensign, Nov. 1992, 6
11/15/06
"My wife and I have seven children, six sons and a daughter. Each one of
our children has been taught to pray as soon as he or she was old enough
to kneel. Some of the sweetest prayers ever offered in our home have
been those of our children. Many times we as adults forget how teachable
children are, and how much they can learn if we give them guidance and
encouragement. Sometimes parents are overly permissive or too lax in
their teaching, thinking their children do not comprehend. They
comprehend more than we would suppose. They can be taught to pray at a
very early age." - Vaughn J. Featherstone, "Teaching Our Children to
Pray," "Prayer," p. 89
12/21/06
"Think about the Savior. It takes a lot of confidence to tell a blind
man to see, or to tell a crippled man to pick up his bed, or to set off
walking across the surface of a stormy sea. Where did Jesus' confidence
come from? I think it came from his relationship with his Heavenly
Father. If we have faith in the Savior and follow his example, I think
that we also can have the same kind of confidence. Jesus taught us how
to pray, how to approach our Father in Heaven in great confidence and
great love. I have read that the Aramaic word Jesus used doesn't mean
just 'Father' but something much more intimate, like 'Daddy' or 'Papa,'
the word a very small child would use in calling to his or her father.
The apostle Paul told the Hebrews: 'Let us... come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need.' (Hebrews
4:16.) Paul was reminding the Hebrews that they could have
confidence in Christ because He was their Savior. He reminded the people
that they were only mortals but they still were good enough to give
bread and fish to their children, not stones or serpents. 'How much more
shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?' (Luke
11:13.)" - Chieko N. Okazaki, Aloha!, p.60
1/15/07
"We cannot find Enos-like faith
without our own wrestle before God in prayer. I testify that the reward
is worth the effort. Remember the pattern: (1) hear the word of God,
spoken and written by His servants; (2) let that word sink deep into
your heart; (3) hunger in your soul for righteousness; (4) obediently
follow gospel laws, ordinances, and covenants; and (5) raise your voice
in mighty prayer and supplication, asking in faith to know that Jesus
Christ is our Savior. I promise that if you do these things sincerely
and unceasingly, the words Christ spoke to His disciples will be
fulfilled in your life: 'Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye
shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.' (Matt.
7:7.)" - Robert D. Hales, "Finding
Faith
in the Lord Jesus Christ," Ensign (CR), November 2004, p.70
4/6/07
"Prayer is a supernal gift of our
Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being,
the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you
and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father.
Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He
commands, 'Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before
the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.'
(D&C 19:28.)
"It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or
rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can
address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or
can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love
and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless
cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him
personally, and He will ever answer." - Richard G. Scott, "Using
the
Supernal Gift of Prayer," General Conference, April 2007
5/1/07
"As you exercise your agency, remember, you are not alone. In addition
to a kind and wise Heavenly Father, there are others who are praying for
you to make wise choices. As a youth, when I would go out on a date or
with my friends, I would always check in with my parents when I came
home. Usually I would just knock on their door, open it and say, 'I'm
home,' and then go to bed. One night I came home from a date, knocked as
usual, and then opened the door. As I did so, the light from the hall
fell on my angel mother on her knees in prayer. And as I saw her there,
I knew whom she was praying for. I have never forgotten that experience.
And the knowledge that my mother still prays for me today bears me up
and reminds me who I am and that I am not alone." - Charles W. Dahlquist
II, "Who's
On
The Lord's Side?" General Conference, April 2007
5/22/07
"There is great power in praying for others, perhaps even more than in
just praying for yourself. The Lord said to Thomas B. Marsh, who was
then president of the Quorum of the Twelve:
"'I know thy heart, and have heard thy prayers concerning thy brethren.
Be not partial towards them in love above many others, but let thy love
be for them as for thyself; and let thy love abound unto all men, and
unto all who love my name.
"'And pray for thy brethren of the Twelve.' (D&C
112:11-12.)
"When we pray for others with a fervent heart, we are obeying the second
great commandment, to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Lord hears
our pleas in their behalf and blesses them according to that which they
are willing receive.
"I've found it helpful to pray when I'm trying to help another, 'Lord,
deliver me his heart. How may I help this man now? How might I lighten
his burden?' It's as important to pray specifically for others as it is
for ourselves." - Gene R. Cook, "Receiving Answers to Our Prayers," p.69
9/16/07
"Our hearts can only be drawn out to God when they are filled with
love for Him and trust in His goodness. Joseph Smith, even as a boy,
gave us an example of how we can come to pray from a heart filled with
the love of God and then pray unceasingly through a life filled with
trials and blessings.
"Joseph started for the grove to pray with faith that a loving God
would answer his prayer and relieve his confusion. He gained that
assurance reading the word of God and receiving a witness that it was
true. He said that he read in James, 'Let him ask of God, that giveth
to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.'
(James
1:5; JS-H
1:11) His faith to ask of God in prayer
came after pondering a scripture which assured him of Gods loving
nature. He prayed, as we must, with faith in a loving God." - Henry B.
Eyring, "Prayer,"
Ensign (CR), November 2001, p.15
10/5/07
"'Please, Lord, help me to help myself.' I am convinced that this
prayer for increased personal powers—spiritual strength, greater
inspiration, and greater confidence—is one that God always answers. We
can learn to solve our problems with God's help, making him our
partner." - Franklin D. Richards, "The
Importance of Prayer," Ensign (CR), July
1972, p.66
1/12/08
"Joseph Smith’s
mission was unique, yet his humble prayer can be a helpful model for
us. He began, as we must, with faith in a loving God who can and wants
to communicate with us and help us. That faith was rooted in
impressions which came to him as he pondered the words of God’s
servants in the scriptures. We can and must go often and carefully to
the word of God. If we become casual in our study of the scriptures,
we will become casual in our prayers." - Henry B. Eyring, "Prayer,"
Ensign
(CR), November 2001, p.15
4/2/08
"We can call upon our Heavenly
Father in the name of our Savior. Prayer provides an opportunity for us
to express gratitude. Taking an inventory of our blessings fills us with
hope. 'Pray unto the Father
with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love.'
(Moro. 7:48.)
"We
can
ask for what we need hour by hour and minute by minute. It is possible
to have this personal conversation with our Heavenly Father through
Jesus Christ by kneeling in prayer, just as surely as if we could kneel
beside the manger and see the Savior there."
- Betty Jo N. Jepsen, "By
Way
of Invitation" (Alma 5:62),
Ensign (CR), November 1992, p.76
5/4/08
"I
long have been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer
requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings
require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer,
as 'a form of
work, . . . is an appointed means for obtaining
the highest of all blessings'
(Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,”
753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of
prayer, after we say 'amen,'
by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father."
- David A. Bednar, "Ask
in
Faith," General Conference, April 2008
9/11/08
"Now
there are men who feel that they have perhaps drawn so far away from the
Lord that they can't pray. Sometimes we are careless in our praying, and
yet we have been designated as being a praying people, and we want
always to stay a praying people. I would like to encourage those men who
are not as prayerful as they might be, that we should not consider
prayer as a duty. We can consider prayer as a privilege. We can consider
prayer as a blessing. We can consider prayer as a comfort."
- Thorpe B. Isaacson, "Conference Report," April 1950, p.40
10/27/08
"The most meaningful and
spiritual prayers I have experienced contained many expressions of
thanks and few, if any, requests. As I am blessed now to pray with
apostles and prophets, I find among these modern-day leaders of the
Savior’s Church the same characteristic that describes Captain Moroni in
the Book of Mormon: these are men whose hearts swell with thanksgiving
to God for the many privileges and blessings which He bestows upon His
people (see Alma 48:12). Also, they do not multiply many words, for it
is given unto them what they should pray, and they are filled with
desire (see 3 Nephi 19:24). The prayers of prophets are childlike in
their simplicity and powerful because of their sincerity." - David A.
Bednar, "Pray Always," General Conference, October 2008
12/12/08
"As
a young boy going to Primary, I was taught to pray. I did not know how
to pray, but I accepted the fact that I should pray. Somehow in my
young mind I felt to memorize the Lord's Prayer. Once it was
memorized, I used His prayer as though it were mine. At night I would
go out on our front porch, then look heavenward and say the Lord's
Prayer. If I didn't feel that I was spiritual enough or that my prayer
had gotten through, I would simply say it again.
"One night I felt I was really praying and that
the Lord's Prayer had become mine. All I did was add four additional
words, something that multitudes of others have done. As I closed
the Lord's Prayer, I said, 'For thine is the kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, forever' and then added the words, 'and
forever and ever, amen.' I suppose it was a feeling of reverence for
God that I was offering in my young mind by adding 'and forever
and ever.'
"Thank goodness for prayers that
lift us upward even when we are unskilled and untrained but reverent."
- Vaughn J. Featherstone, "The Incomparable Christ: Our
Master and Model," p.54
9/7/09
“I truthfully believe that there are one million members of this
Church–at least those who are old enough and who realize the value of
prayer–who are praying each day for the President of the Church, the
prophet of the Lord, and for the General Authorities of the Church. We
are so profoundly grateful to you for your prayers and your faith.” -
Thorpe B. Isaacson, “Conference Report,”
October 1958, Afternoon Meeting, p. 66
12/19/09
“No
Father would send His children off to a distant, dangerous land for a
lifetime of testing where Lucifer was known to roam free without first
providing them with a personal power of protection. He would also
supply them with means to communicate with Him from Father to child
and from child to Father. Every child of our Father sent to earth is
provided with the Spirit of Christ, or the Light of Christ. We are,
none of us, left here alone without hope of guidance and redemption.”
– Boyd K. Packer, “Prayer and Promptings,” Ensign, November 2009
1/14/10
“Those words in that song, where it tells us that ‘Prayer will change
the night to day,’ I want to tell you prayer will change the sinners
into righteous men and they will preserve men from making mistakes,
and there is nothing else in this world more fundamental to a man’s
success and happiness in this life and achieving greatness than to
have that friendship with God, that you know him other than by
hearsay.” - LeGrand Richards, October 29,
1963, “BYU Speeches of the Year,” 1963, p. 8
1/17/10
"The
first and most fundamental virtue in effective prayer is faith. A
belief in God brings peace to the soul. An assurance that God is our
Father, into whose presence we can go for comfort and guidance, is a
never-failing source of comfort.” – “Teachings
Of Presidents Of The Church: David O. McKay,” p. 71
2/12/10
“This
morning I bear witness of the importance of prayer. Access to our
Creator through our Savior is surely one of the great privileges and
blessings of our lives. I have learned from countless personal
experiences that great is the power of prayer. No earthly authority
can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be
a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. There is no limit on
the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no
quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not
need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the
throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place.” - James
E. Faust, “The Lifeline of Prayer,” Ensign (CR), May 2002, p. 59
2/22/10
“It
was no accident, no chance happening—Joseph Smith's going into the
grove that spring morning, one hundred years ago. It was an event
predestined, heaven-inspired. I once thought that any good boy who
prayed in faith could see just what Joseph saw. But I have put away
that childish notion. I have learned that all boys are not Joseph
Smiths. God hears and answers the prayers of the humblest of his
children; but he answers them as seemeth him best, and not always in
the same way. He gives according to the capacity of the one who
receives.” - Orson F. Whitney, “Conference
Report,” April 1920, Afternoon Session, p. 123
4/13/10
"Being submissive, gentle, easy to be entreated, and patient are all
attributes. But the actions Alma commends to us are to ask for what we
need and to return thanks. Please don't think of that as a routine
command to say your prayers. Oh, it is much more than that. If you
pray, if you talk to God, if you plead for the help you need, and if
you thank him not only for help but for the patience and gentleness
that come from not receiving all you desire right away—or perhaps
ever—I promise you that you will draw closer to him. And then you will
become diligent and long-suffering." - Henry
B. Eyring, "To Draw Closer to God: A Collection of Discourses," p.
97
9/10/11
9/19/11
May I suggest to all of the Church, and
particularly to you young people and you missionaries throughout the
world, don’t neglect those early morning prayers to our Heavenly Father.
Through those prayers, you reach him, and through that, you can have
peace.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet
without sin.” (
9/21/11
I bear witness that inherent in every
member of the Church are powerful resources of the spirit if we
righteously seek them. Man’s closest communication with his Maker is
through the medium of prayer. It is the means offered him to place his
problems before God and receive spiritual strength and sustenance. -
11/26/11
Does it frighten you to
speak with your Heavenly Father? It shouldn’t. It’s true that he is
powerful, more than any of us can even understand. But he also loves
us—much more than we can ever know. He knows all about you, knows all of
your secrets, all the things you are afraid of, and even more—he knows
what you are capable of doing. He knows you even better than you know
yourself. He wants what is best for you, and he wants you to be
successful and happy in your life. In order for him to help you, he
wants you to talk with him often in reverent, humble prayer. - J.
Thomas Fyans, "Draw
Near to Him in Prayer," Ensign (CR) October 1985
2/18/12
There seems to grow upon us a film of worldliness when we move away
from the Lord. It might be like the film of grease spread over the
body of the swimmer who would cross the English Channel. It fills the
pores and covers the skin so there can be less penetration of the
cold. It might be like the skin-diver’s rubber suit. But when we
pierce the shell and penetrate the covering and humble ourselves with
naked soul and sincere supplication and cleansed life, our prayers are
answered. We can reach the point where Peter stood, and like him we
may “be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption
that is in the world through lust.
“But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off,
and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” (2
Pet. 1:4, 9.) - Spencer W.
Kimball, "Prayer,"
Ensign, March 1978
2/29/12
How wonderful it would be if people everywhere could all be found
daily—night and morning—on their knees, expressing thanks for blessings
already received, acknowledging their dependence upon God, and seeking
His divine guidance. - Ezra
Taft Benson, "The
Power of Prayer," Friend, February 1986
3/7/12
Prayer offers each of us the privilege of divine guidance in a troubled
world. God, our Heavenly Father, desires that His children speak with
Him. Take time to pray. Go to Him in humility, in faith, and in the
sacred name of Jesus Christ. He hears. He knows. He answers. “For
every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matt. 7:8). God be thanked for the
precious and wondrous gift of prayer. - Keith
B. McMullin, "Words
of Jesus: Prayer," Ensign, January 2003
5/3/12
We live in troubled times. I assure you that our Heavenly Father is
mindful of the challenges we face. He loves each of us and desires to
bless us and to help us. May we call upon Him in prayer, as He
admonished when He said, “Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit
upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you
should obtain treasures of earth.” - Thomas S. Monson, "As We Close
This Conference," Ensign (CR) May 2012
6/10/12
In stormy weather there was always static and interference. But the life
of many a pilot has depended on his hearing, above the roar of the
engines and through all the static and interference, that sometimes weak
signal from a distant airfield.
There is a spiritual beam, with a constant signal. If you know how to
pray and how to listen, spiritually listen, you may move through life,
through clear weather, through storms, through wars, through peace, and
be all right. - Boyd K. Packer, "Prayers
and Answers," Ensign (CR) November 1979
9/6/12
Our prophets have
admonished us repeatedly to make family prayer a regular part of our
daily worship. President John Taylor asked the Saints:
“Do you have prayers in your family? …
“And when you do, do you go through the operation like the guiding of
a piece of machinery, or do you bow in meekness and with a sincere
desire to seek the blessing of God upon you and your household? That
is the way that we ought to do, and cultivate a spirit of devotion and
trust in God, dedicating ourselves to him, and seeking his blessings.”
(Journal of Discourses, 21:118.) - L. Tom Perry, "Our
Father Which Art In Heaven," Ensign (CR) November 1983
9/15/12
Nothing is more
simple than prayer. The Savior, while upon the earth, gave the example
and commanded all to follow in His footsteps. If we have faith that
our Heavenly Father lives and that we can commune with Him in a very
direct way, then prayer becomes one of the most beautiful, lovely,
simple acts that we can do. - Glen L. Rudd, "Because
I Pray For You," Ensign (CR) May 1988
1/5/13
Times have
not really changed. Prayer continues to provide power—spiritual
power. Prayer continues to provide peace—spiritual peace. - Thomas
S. Monson, "Come
Unto Him in Prayer and Faith," Ensign March 2009
1/27/13
Prayer, if given in faith, is acceptable to God at all times. If you
ever feel you cannot pray, that is the time you definitely need to
pray, exercising faith. Nephi taught in plainness: “If ye would
hearken unto the Spirit [of God] which teacheth a man to pray ye
would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit … teacheth him
that he must not pray” (2
Nephi 32:8). - Dieter
F. Uchtdorf, "Prayer
and the Blue Horizon," Ensign June 2009
1/31/13
Do our spouses, children, and other family members likewise feel the
power of our prayers offered unto the Father for their specific needs
and desires? Do those we serve hear us pray for them with faith and
sincerity? If those we love and serve have not heard and felt the
influence of our earnest prayers in their behalf, then the time to
repent is now. As we emulate the example of the Savior, our prayers
truly will become more meaningful. - David
A. Bednar, "Pray
Always," Ensign (CR) October 2008
9/20/13
The clock of history, like the
sands of the hourglass, marks the passage of time. A new cast
occupies the stage of life. The problems of our day loom ominously
before us. Surrounded by the sophistication of modern living, we
look heavenward for that unfailing sense of direction, that we might
chart and follow a wise and proper course. He whom we call our
Heavenly Father will not leave our sincere petition unanswered. - Thomas
S. Monson, "Sailing
Safely the Seas of Life," Ensign (CR) May 1982
3/26/2014
Since that time of long ago, I
have had countless prayers answered. Not a day has gone by that I
have not communicated with my Father in Heaven through prayer. It is
a relationship I cherish—one I would literally be lost without. If
you do not now have such a relationship with your Father in Heaven,
I urge you to work toward that goal. As you do so, you will be
entitled to His inspiration and guidance in your life—necessities
for each of us if we are to survive spiritually during our sojourn
here on earth. Such inspiration and guidance are gifts He freely
gives if we but seek them. What treasures they are! - Thomas
S. Monson, “Stand
in Holy Places,” Ensign (CR) November 2011
3/31/14
Should you ever feel distanced from our Father, it could be for many
reasons. Whatever the cause, as you continue to plead for help, He
will guide you to do that which will restore your confidence that He
is near. Pray even when you have no desire to pray. Sometimes, like
a child, you may misbehave and feel you cannot approach your Father
with a problem. That is when you most need to pray. Never feel you
are too unworthy to pray. - Richard
G. Scott, “Using
the Supernal Gift of Prayer,” Ensign (CR) May 2007
7/3/14
Petitioning
Heavenly Father for the blessings we desire in our personal lives is
good and proper. However, praying earnestly for others, both those
whom we love and those who despitefully use us, is also an important
element of meaningful prayer. Just as expressing gratitude more
often in our prayers enlarges the conduit for revelation, so praying
for others with all of the energy of our souls increases our
capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord. - David
A. Bednar, “Pray
Always,” Ensign (CR) November 2008
7/14/14
When
God placed man on the earth, prayer became the lifeline between
mankind and God. Thus, in Adam’s generation, men began “to call upon
the name of the Lord.” Through all generations since that time,
prayer has filled a very important human need. 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. As we pray we should think of our Father in Heaven as
possessing all knowledge, understanding, love, and compassion. - James
E. Faust, “The
Lifeline of Prayer,” Ensign (CR) May 2002
8/3/14
To my young friend, and
to all wherever you may be, never give up on the Lord. The answer
to your prayers may not be as clear or as timely as you would
like, but keep praying. The Lord is listening! As you pray, ask
for help in understanding the promptings of the Holy Spirit. And
then do your very best to be worthy to receive those promptings.
As you recognize or feel the impressions and whisperings of the
Spirit, then act upon them. - Donald
L. Staheli, “Securing
Our Testimonies,” Ensign (CR) November 2004
8/8/14
Our prophets have
said that they don’t worry about the youth who pray twice a day.
Now, if they don’t worry about us, then we don’t need to worry about
ourselves, as long as we sincerely pray twice a day. - Carol
B. Thomas, “Strengthen
Home and Family,” Ensign (CR) May 2002
1/18/15
If we don’t feel like praying,
then we should pray until we feel like praying. - Ezra
Taft Benson, “Prayer,”
Ensign (CR) April 1977
4/23/15
President Joseph F. Smith taught… “We do not have to cry unto him
with many words. We do not have to weary him with long prayers. What
we do need, and what we should do as Latter-day Saints, for our own
good, is to go before him often, to witness unto him that we
remember him and that we are willing to take upon us his name, keep
his commandments, work righteousness; and that we desire his Spirit
to help us.” - Henry B. Eyring, “Priesthood
and Personal Prayer," Ensign (CR) April 2015
7/10/15
"Draw near unto me and I will
draw near unto you: seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask and
ye shall receive; knock and it shall be opened unto you;
"Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you,
that is expedient for you;
"And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn
unto your condemnation.”
Mark, brethren and sisters, how clear-cut are these words. There is
no doubt, no dubiety. It does not say if and peradventure you call
upon the Lord, He may be gone on a long journey and you cannot reach
Him; or He is very busy; His attention is now attracted to the
nations of the earth; probably He is busily engaged with the great
war between Russia and Japan and He cannot give you any attention,
therefore you might as well cease praying. No, this revelation does
not give forth any such ideas. Our heavenly Father is always near
and ready to listen to His children. - Rudger
Clawson, "Conference Report," April 1904, Open Air Meeting, p. 97
8/4/15
Prayer may not be a hard
doctrine, but it can be a very deep and soul-satisfying experience.
It is the means by which we can draw close to our Heavenly Father
and understand better His deep doctrines. - Neal
A. Maxwell, "All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience," p.91
9/9/15
It is a wonderful thing to know
how to pray. I do not mean to say I can tell you how it is done but
I have lived, lo these forty years and upwards, and am just
beginning to learn how to pray. And oh, my brethren and sisters, I
exhort you and myself to learn how to pray. As I said, I am just
beginning to learn the beauty of prayer, and it is a wonderful
blessing to be alone and strive with all your heart to pray. "Prayer
is the soul's sincere desire," and it is a wonderful thing to
express that desire to our Father in heaven and feel to a slight
degree that we are approaching our Father in heaven in such a way
that he desires to come near unto us. It is a wonderful thing; and
we should not think of praying without spirit—in a listless way, but
think of it with spirit, and put our hearts and souls into it, and
it will bring blessings to us. - George
W. McCune, "Conference Report," October 1919, Third Day—Morning
Session, p. 139
11/27/15
The
object of our prayers should not be to present a wish list or a
series of requests but to secure for ourselves and for others
blessings that God is eager to bestow, according to His will and
timing. Every sincere prayer is heard and answered by our Heavenly
Father, but the answers we receive may not be what we expect or come
to us when we want or in the way we anticipate. - David
A. Bednar, "Ask
in Faith,” Ensign (CR) April 2008
12/1/15
Sincere prayer is like a balm of
Gilead. It emits spiritual, resinous juices that have a soothing and
healing effect upon many family ills. Prayer can mend a broken
heart, assuage troubled feelings, restore peace of mind, and knit
souls together in a wonderful way. It is not to be borrowed
occasionally or applied sparingly; it must be used daily so that its
powers may both prevent and cure problems. - Carlos
E. Asay, "Family Pecan Trees: Planting a Legacy of Faith at Home,"
p.13
12/9/15
Prayer is not any unusual thing, of course.
Prayers have always been answered. I picked a hundred and
twenty-five references in the Holy Bible to prayer, and noted the
many things that have been asked for, and noted how they were
answered. Even an ax was caused to swim, the Bible puts it, when a
poor workman had lost his ax, and dropped it into the river, and
it was a borrowed ax. He wanted it back that he might return it,
and his petition was answered; the ax was caused to swim. I wonder
if any of us would make light of such a suggestion? - Nicholas
G. Smith, "Conference Report," October 1944, First Day-Morning
Meeting, p.18
1/12/16
Remember to thank your Heavenly Father for his blessings. This is a
very important step, not just because Heavenly father wants us to be
grateful, but because it does so much for us. Most of the time we
think of prayer only when we want something; but when we start by
expressing gratitude for the things we already have, we begin to see
our lives in a new way. - Dwan J. Young, "Draw
Near to Him in Prayer," Ensign (CR), November 1985, p.91
1/15/16
One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is to teach them
to rely more fully on the Lord through prayer. What a blessing it
would be for them to know that the Lord lives and will answer their
prayers. What a blessing it would be for them to know how to pray to
him, and what some of the laws and conditions are to obtain answers
to prayer. Such blessings may be the greatest gifts we could give
them. - Gene R. Cook, "Raising Up
a Family to the Lord," p.77
2/26/16
If
prayer is only a spasmodic cry at the time of crisis, then it is
utterly selfish, and we come to think of God as a repairman or a
service agency to help us only in our emergencies. We should
remember the Most High day and night—always—not only at times when
all other assistance has failed and we desperately need help. If
there is any element in human life on which we have a record of
miraculous success and inestimable worth to the human soul, it is
prayerful, reverential, devout communication with our Heavenly
Father. - Howard W. Hunter, "Hallowed
Be Thy Name," Ensign (CR), November 1977, p.52
3/28/16
Should not equal attention be paid to spiritual fitness? Just as
physical strength requires exercise, so spiritual strength requires
effort. Among the most important of spiritual exercises is prayer.
It engenders harmony with God and a desire to keep His commandments.
Prayer is a key to wisdom, virtue, and humility. - Russell
M. Nelson, "We
Are Children of God," Ensign (CR), November 1998, p.85
5/16/16
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. - Russell M. Nelson, "Sweet
Power of Prayer," Ensign (CR), May 2003, p.7
6/1/16
Just a little poem on prayer:
I
say a prayer each morning,
So the day will turn out right,
And when the sun has disappeared,
I tell the Lord good night.
The world looks brighter in the dawn
When I pronounce a prayer,
Because it reassures me
The Lord is really there,
And that I seem to walk with him
Each hour of the day,
While I am occupied with work
Or taking time to play.
I listen to his counsel
And find my courage strong,
Whenever I am weary
Or when anything goes wrong.
And when the day is over,
And the moon and stars are bright,
I feel the least that I can do
Is tell the Lord goodnight. - Author Unknown
Thorpe B. Isaacson, “Conference Report,” October 1948, First
Day-Morning Meeting, p.20-21
6/4/16
It doesn't matter
whether it is a little boy with a simple request, or a medical doctor
with a critical, life-threatening challenge before him: Heavenly
Father will hear our humble prayer and will give us the comfort and
guidance we seek. - H. Bruce Stucki, “Prayer,
Faith, and Family: Stepping-Stones to Eternal Happiness,”
Ensign (CR) April 2006
6/18/16
A special friend of mine was left with the burden of being a single
parent, not by her choice. One day she was particularly desperate for
help. She was very much in need of comfort and direction. And yet she
felt so alone: her parents were away on a mission, the bishop was
busy, her home teacher was out of town. And finally, tear weary, she
turned to the scriptures and read the beloved words "Draw near unto me
and I will draw near unto you." (D&C
88:63.) Here she found her answer. She prayed and she was
helped. It was wonderful. It worked! - Elaine Cannon, “Reach
for Joy,” Ensign (CR), May 1982, p.95
6/21/16
That taught me something important. Sometimes we pray for things that
will benefit us but may hurt others. We may pray for a particular type
of weather, or to preserve someone's life, when that answer to our
prayer may hurt someone else. That's why we must always pray in faith,
because we can't have true, God-given faith in something that is not
according to His will. If it's according to His will, all parties will
benefit. I learned to pray for a good wind and the ability to get
there safely, not necessarily a tail wind. - John
H. Groberg, “In the Eye of the Storm,” p.175
7/13/16
Our Heavenly Father did not put us on earth to fail but to succeed
gloriously. It may seem paradoxical, but that is why recognizing
answers to prayer can sometimes be very difficult. Some face life
with only their own experience and capacity to help them. Others
seek, through prayer, divine inspiration to know what to do. When
required, they qualify for power beyond their own capacity to do it.
- Richard G. Scott, “Learning
to Recognize Answers to Prayer,” Ensign (CR), November 1989,
p.30
7/19/16
We call their
attention to the necessity of prayer, of living close to God, citing
them the fact that in the early days the saints were afflicted because
they did not keep the laws of God, did not seek him closely. I
remember that the Lord has said, in one of the sections of the
D&C, that "in the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my
counsel: but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel
after me." - John V. Bluth, “Conference Report,” October 1931,
Afternoon Meeting, p.83
7/26/16
We should teach our children that prayer is a privilege and not a
duty. We should teach them to pray from their hearts and not from
their lips and not to pray by rote. We should teach them to utter
prayers of gratitude to God for all the blessings that we
enjoy-prayers of generosity, not thinking so much about the things we
want or need, but praying for those who are in distress. Prayers need
not be long; they should be rather short and to the point and well
thought out. - Elder Joseph L. Wirthlin, “Conference Report,”
April 1949, Afternoon Meeting, p.160
8/11/16
I have had prayers answered. Those answers were most clear when what
I wanted was silenced by an overpowering need to know what God
wanted. It is then that the answer from a loving Heavenly Father can
be spoken to the mind by the still, small voice and can be written
on the heart. - Henry B. Eyring,
“Write
upon My Heart,” Ensign (CR), November 2000, p.85
8/13/16
It is my testimony, my brothers and sisters and friends, that God
does hear and answer prayers. I have never doubted that fact. From
childhood, at my mother's knee where I first learned to pray; as a
young man in my teens; as a missionary in foreign lands; as a
father; as a Church leader; as a government official, I know without
any question that it is possible for men and women to reach out in
humility and prayer and tap that Unseen Power; to have prayers
answered. Man does not stand alone, or at least he need not stand
alone. Prayer will open doors; prayer will remove barriers; prayer
will ease pressures; prayer will give inner peace and comfort during
times of strain and stress and difficulty. Thank God for prayer. - Ezra
Taft Benson, “Conference Report,” October 1956, Third Day-Morning
Meeting, p.104
10/12/16
At the very moment we say, “Father in Heaven,” He hears
our prayers and is sensitive to us and our needs. And so His eyes and
His ears are now connected to you. He reads our minds, and He feels
our hearts. You
cannot hide anything from Him. Now, the wonderful thing is that He
will see you with eyes of love and mercy—love and mercy that we cannot
fully understand. But
love and mercy are with Him the very moment you say, “Father in
Heaven.” – Juan A. Uceda, “The
Lord
Jesus Christ Teaches Us to Pray,” Ensign (CR) November 2016
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