From Carolyn J. Rasmus and the book ‘A Year of Powerful Prayer:
[Prayer] is the means by which I have continued opportunities to call upon and talk to my Heavenly Father, now that I am no longer in his presence. Because I believe that he is all knowing and that he knows me better than I know myself—as earthly parents often know their children better than they know themselves—I know that he will respond to me in ways that are best for me.
When we come to understand that prayer is our means of access to God our Father, we become increasingly comfortable in calling upon him. When we come to know that our Father knows and hears us and responds to us, we will be anxious to “commune” with him. (See Exodus 25:22.) It is then that we will put aside “vain repetitions” (3 Nephi 13:7) and “pour out our whole souls to God.” (Mosiah 28:14.) Ultimately we will be more anxious to listen than to rehearse our own litany of lists.
How often, in hope of fulfilling the responsibility we feel to pray, do we simply go through the motions of prayer? ~~Carolyn J. Rasmus
