What the Lord Says About Prayer

From D. Kelly Ogden:  What the Lord Says About Prayer

Have you ever studied one particular topic all through the scriptures? It’s a real eye-opener to see the big picture of what the Lord says when you look at one subject at a time. Some time ago I looked at every passage I could find about prayer and then organized the results into a study on prayer that I have given to many hundreds of students. I believe that prayer is one of the most important subjects we can research in the scriptures. 

Following are some specific insights I gained from reviewing all those passages about prayer:

• By praying we gain a testimony through the Spirit (see Alma 5:43-47).
• We can pray to avoid temptation and being taken captive by the devil (see 3 Nephi 28:15, 18-19).
• We should pray to be filled with the love of Christ; and we can keep that love inside us by constant attention to prayer (see Moroni 7:48, 8:26).
• We can study a matter out in our minds and then ask if it is right; in response the Lord will give us a feeling (see Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9).
• We should avoid being hypocritical or showy, and we should avoid using vain repetitions. We need to get past cliche-level prayer (see Matthew 6:5-8). 
• We should pray with a believing attitude (see Mark 11:24).
• If we want to know something and ask God in faith, he will give it to us ( James 1:5-8).
• We should ask God with faith and with diligence in keeping the commandments (1 Nephi 15:7-11). 
• We should call upon God daily with faith and with humility (see Mosiah 4:11).
• We should acknowledge our unworthiness before God (see Alma 38:13-14).
• In prayer we should avoid “multiplying words,” and we should let the Spirit guide our prayers (see 3 Nephi 19:24-25, 32-33). Feelings are more important than words. 
• It doesn’t do any good just to go through the motions; prayers don’t count unless we mean what we say (see Moroni 7:6-9).
• We are commanded to pray for those who despitefully use us and persecute us (Nephi 12:44).
• We can pray to know the truth of the Book of Mormon (see Moroni 10:4).
• We can pray for forgiveness of sins and to know our standing before God (Joseph Smith —History 1:29).

• • We can pray the Lord can show us great things (see 1 Nephi 18:3).
  • We can have great understandings revealed unto us; prayer can bring many to a knowledge of the truth (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:11).
  • Through prayer, the Lord’s Spirit will pour out upon us and we will receive blessings greater than the treasures of the earth (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:38).
  • If we are humble the Lord will answer our prayers (see Doctrine and Covenants 112:10).
  • We need to be submissive, gentle, patient and long-suffering (see Alma 7:22-24).
  • Be Like Nephi: Plead with the Lord to overcome your weaknesses (see 2 Nephi 4:16-31)

• Be like Enos:  Pour out your whole soul with many long strugglings: pray and labor with all diligence (see Enow 1:1-12). 

• • Be like Alma:   Wrestle with God in mighty prayer (see Alma 8:10). (con’t)

• Be Like the Savior: Luke says in Gethsemane “he prayed more earnestly” (see Luke 22:44).

~D. Kelly Ofden, from his book “8 Mighty Changes God Wants for You Before You Get to Heaven”. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2004) p. 19-22