N, Eldon Tanner, of the First Presidency taught:
We pray for different reasons. Many are driven to their knees out of fear, and then only do they pray. Others go to the Lord when in dire need of immediate direction for they know of no other place to go. Nations are called by their governments in case of national tragedy, drought, or plague, famine or war, to call upon God for his protection, for his direction. Some people ask to be healed, others to be strengthened. They ask for the blessings of the Lord to attend their families, their loved ones and themselves in all their righteous endeavors. This, I’m sure is all good in the sight of the Lord.
It is most important, however, that take time to express gratitude to our Father in heaven for the many blessings we receive. As we express our appreciation for our many blessings, we become more conscious of what the Lord has done for us, and thereby we become more appreciative. We all know what it means to hear or receive an expression of gratitude for anything we might have done. Our forefathers set aside a day of thanksgiving. I fear that some of us even forget that day.
I wonder if we are sometimes guilty of not expressing to the Lord our gratitude, even as the lepers who were healed. ~~N. Eldon Tanner (deceased) A Year of Powerful Prayer (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2013), 78-79
