In his book ‘Accomplishing the Impossible’ (c 2015), Elder Russell M. Nelson, now our Prophet, Seer and Revelator taught: … Jesus included a plea for unity. “Father,” He said, “I pray unto thee for them,… that they believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one.”[i] We too can pray for unity. We can pray to be of one heart and one mind with the Lord’s anointed and with our loved ones. We can pray for mutual understanding and respect between ourselves and our neighbors. If we really care for others, we should pray for them.[ii, iii, iv] Pray one for another” taught James, “for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” [v]
Other lessons about prayer were taught by the Lord. He told His disciples that ye must always pray unto the father in my name.”[vi] Obediently, we apply that lesson when we pray to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ.[vii]
Another of the Lord’s prayers teaches a lesson repeated in three consecutive verses: “Father, I thank thee that thou hast given the Holy Ghost unto these whom I have chosen…. “Father, I pray thee that thou wilt give the Holy Ghost unto all them that shall believe in their words. “Father, thou hast given them the Holy Ghost because they believe in me.” [viii] If companionship of the Holy Ghost is that important, we should pray for it too. We should likewise help all converts and our children cultivate the gift of the Holy Ghost. As we so pray, the Holy Ghost can become a vital force for good in our own lives. [ix compare with x] See * below.
The Lord taught ways by which our prayers can be enhanced. For, He said, that “the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.”[xi] (See ** below also)
Prayer can also be enhanced by fasting[xii]. The Lord said, “I give unto you a commandment that ye shall continue in fasting and prayer from this time forth.”[xiii] A plea for wisdom in fasting was offered by President Joseph F. Smith, who cautioned that “there is such a thing as over doing. A man may fast and pray till he kills himself; and there isn’t any necessity for it; nor wisdom in it…. The Lord can hear a simple prayer, offered in faith, in half a dozen words, and he will recognize fasting that may not continue more than twenty-four hours, just as readily and effectually as He will answer a prayer of a thousand words and fasting for a month…. The Lord will accept that which is enough, with a good deal more pleasure and satisfaction than that which is too much and unnecessary.” *** (From ‘Accomplishing the Impossible’ pg. 48-50.)
* 3 Nephi 31:17-20; Alma 5:38; And we may invite the companionship of the Spirit, who will intercede and help us know what to pray about. (See Romans 8:26).
** 1 Corinthians 7:5; Omni 1:26; Alma 5:46; 6:6; 17:3, 9; 28:6; 45;1; 3 Nephi 27:1; 4 Nephi 1:12; Moroni 6:5.
*** Joseph F Smith, in Conference Report, October 1912, 133–134
