From Elder Neal A. Maxwell:
Those who lack, through no fault of their own, certain plain and precious things about the process of prayer are left through the Holy Bible to assume that if they ask in faith, it will be granted: “For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 8:8.) “And all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21;22.)
For a more full understanding of prayer, these disclosing and refining verses are vital:
Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh, Yea, my God will give me if I ask not amiss . . . (2 Nephi 4:35.)
And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that you have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. (3 Nephi 18:20.)
The matured disciple can be even further blessed by having his petitions inspired. Then yet another and an awesome dimension of prayer unfolds:
And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed,
in faith and in works; yea, even 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.)
He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh. (Doctrine and Covenants 46:30.)
These are not minor declarations and amplifications. . . . In fact, these additional scriptures lie at the very heart of understanding the vital doctrine of prayer, which comprises man’s primary pattern of personal communication with God. ~Neal A. Maxwell ~ from ‘A Year of Powerful Prayer’ (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2013), p.171-73
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