Pray Always

1. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings
• “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,” 752).
• As we ask in faith, we can receive revelation upon revelation and knowledge upon knowledge and come to know the mysteries and peaceable things that bring joy and eternal life. The mysteries are those matters that can only be known and understood by the power of the Holy Ghost (see Harold B. Lee, Ye Are the Light of the World [1974], 211).
• meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day
• There may be things in our character, in our behavior, or concerning our spiritual growth about which we need to counsel with Heavenly Father in morning prayer. After expressing appropriate thanks for blessings received, we plead for understanding, direction, and help to do the things we cannot do in our own strength alone.
• During the course of the day, we keep a prayer in our heart for continued assistance and guidance
• We notice during this particular day that there are occasions where normally we would have a tendency to speak harshly, and we do not; or we might be inclined to anger, but we are not. We discern heavenly help and strength and humbly recognize answers to our prayer.
• At the end of our day, we kneel again and report back to our Father. We review the events of the day and express heartfelt thanks for the blessings and the help we received.
• Thus our evening prayer builds upon and is a continuation of our morning prayer. And our evening prayer also is a preparation for meaningful morning prayer.
• Morning and evening prayers – and all of the prayers in between – are not unrelated, discrete events; rather, they are linked together each day and across days, weeks, months, and even years
• Prayer becomes meaningful as we remember our relationship to Deity.
2. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.
3. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.
• Petitioning Heavenly Father for the blessings we desire in our personal lives is good and proper. However, praying earnestly for others 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.
• 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.

Instruction:

• Let me recommend that periodically you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude. Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate appreciation with all the energy of our hearts.
• Link various prayers together counseling with the Lord, recognizing his assistance in those things with which we have counseled with Him, and reporting back on our progress and insight.
• Let my family hear me praying for their specific needs and concerns.