Neal A. Maxwell taught:
One might ask, “Why is it necessary that the Holy Ghost prompt us even in our prayers?” One reason is that only with the help of the Holy Ghost can we be lifted outside the narrow little theater of our own experience, outside our selfish concerns, and outside the confines of our tiny conceptual cells. It was Jacob who reminded us, and in such beautiful language, that the Spirit (which teaches us to pray) also “speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.” (Jacob 4:13.) The Spirit “searcheth the deep things of God” (1 Corinthians 2:10), and superficial prayer will not produce such probings.
God sees things as they really are and as they really will become. We don’t! In order to tap that precious perspective during our prayers, we must rely upon the promptings of the Holy Ghost. With access to that kind of knowledge, we would then pray for what we and others should have—really have. With the Spirit prompting us, we will not ask “amiss.” ~Neal A. Maxwell (Salt Lake City: A Year of Powerful Prayer, Deseret Book, 2013) p.169
