551. We are commanded to pray.
551. We are commanded to pray.
HYMNS Written by Prophets Applicable to this Topic
There isn't any commandment from the Lord that is repeated more often than the commandment to pray to the Lord. . . .
Prayer is the key that opens the door to the Spirit of the Lord. The Lord told us in this dispensation, when the Church was very young, that we were to pray always that we would be conquerors. He told the Prophet Joseph to "pray always, . . . that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work." (D&C 10:5) ACR(Taipei)1975:7
receiving the Word of the Lord
Pray always, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and great shall be your blessing—yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth and corruptibleness to the extent thereof. (A commandment of God for Martin Harris, March 1830) D&C 19:38
The Prophet Joseph Smith told President John Taylor that if he would pray earnestly every day of his life, he would never apostatize from the Church. I say also to all members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that if they will attend to their prayers, make the hearthstone of the home an altar for prayer, where the words from sincere hearts appeal to our father in Heaven, pray honestly, morning and evening, with the family and in secret; I promise them that they will never apostatize from this Church. . . .
I know that God will bless His people if they will attend to their prayers honestly and sincerely. Prayer is a duty. Why? Because God says that He desires His people to pray. And far greater than a duty, prayer is a privilege to every Latter-day Saint, and that privilege should be exercised by every member of the Church. No matter whether it be child, man, or woman, we should value our souls; and, as we value our soul's eternal happiness, as we value the salvation of mankind, the fulfillment of the decrees of God, the extension of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the eradication of all vices in our midst, as we value the great principles of temperance, virtue, truth, and charity, so let us pray. Let us pray early and late, and let the prayer not only be by the lips but from the heart. Let us pray in secret and in public. CR1908Oct:78
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
It matters not whether you or I feel like praying, when the time comes to pray, pray. If we do not feel like it, we should pray till we do. And if there is a heavy storm coming on and our hay is likely to be wet, let it come. You will find that those who wait till the Spirit bids them pray, will never pray much on this earth. (In Tabernacle, Nov. 1869, JD13:155) DBY:44
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
The Lord says, I will be sought unto by my people for the blessings that they need. And instead of our classing prayer among the duties devolving upon us as Latter-day Saints, we should live so as to deem it one of the greatest privileges accorded to us; for were it not for the efficacy of prayer what would have become of us both as a people and as individuals? (In Richfield, Utah, April 22, 1877, JD19:222) DBY:43
recorded in Matthew
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: . . . (Jesus concludes the Sermon on the Mount) Matthew 7:7
quoted by Mormon
And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. 21. Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed. (The resurrected Jesus commands the Nephite people to pray, A.D. 34) 3 Nephi 18:20-21
It is by prayer that the most correct conceptions can be obtained of the majesty of our God and of His purity and holiness. No man or woman can be in a proper condition to withstand temptation or be properly on his or her guard who does not pray. It is a direct command from the Lord, often repeated in His word, constantly declared by His servants, that it is the duty of his children to pray to Him without ceasing. When they do not bow the knee, it is still their duty to pray in their hearts. (Gospel Truth, 2:166-67) TLDP:489
One of the requirements made of the Latter-day Saints is that they shall be faithful in attending to their prayers, both their secret and family prayers. The object that our Heavenly Father has in requiring this is that we may be in communication with Him, and that we may have a channel open between us and the heavens whereby we can bring down upon ourselves blessings from above. CR1944Apr:11
[D]o you bow in meekness and with sincere desire to seek the blessing of God upon you and your household? That is the way we ought to do, and cultivate a spirit of devotion and trust in God, dedicating ourselves to him, and seeking his blessings. (The Gospel Kingdom, p. 284) DGSM:33
But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. (Nephi writes, between 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 32:9
[I]f ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. (Nephi's writings, between 559-545 B.C.) 2 Nephi 32:8
recorded in Matthew
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 10. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 11. Give us this day our daily bread. 12. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Jesus' Sermon on the Mount; he teaches how to pray) Matthew 6:7-13
Related Witnesses:
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
If the Devil says you cannot pray when you are angry, tell him it is none of his business, and pray until that species of insanity is dispelled and serenity is restored to the mind. (In Tabernacle, May 24, 1863, JD10:175) DBY:45
quoted by John A. Widtsoe
When we neglect any one of these duties, the enemy says, "I have made so much ground." If the Devil can induce an Elder to drink a little, he is not satisfied with this triumph, but says to him, "Your wife and children know it, don't pray tonight." The Elder says to his family, "I feel tired tonight, we won't have prayers." The enemy says, "I have gained another point." You indulge still further, and you will find other excuses. Your head is not right, your heart is not right, your conscience is not right, and you retire again without praying. By and by, you begin to doubt something the Lord has revealed to us, and it is not long before such a one is led away captive of the Devil. (At Logan, Utah, Aug. 15, 1876, JD18:216) DBY:81
Again, while prayer is essential and is one of the fundamental principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, it is nonsense for a person to pray only, and not work. A well-balanced person would naturally do everything that he could do and at the same time petition the Lord to help him in his efforts, thus aiding to bring about his desires. By work, patience and integrity, such a person would support his prayers by so living that the Lord could be justified in granting his petitions. The commandments which the Lord has given us, in ages past, and those now being revealed, teach us that human desire and effort are necessary to obtain divine assistance. ("Strive to Be as Broad as the Gospel," IE1912Jul:843) TLDP:487
Lead Me into Life Eternal
HYMNS:45
Lead me into life eternal
By the gospel's holy call.
Let thy promise rest upon me;
Grant me ready strength for all.
Father, all my heart I give thee;
All my service shall be thine.
Guide me as I search in weakness;
Let thy loving light be mine.
Hear me as I pray in meekness;
Let my strength be as thy day.
Give me faith, the greater knowledge;
Father, bless me as I pray.
Father In Heaven, We Do believe
HYMNS:180
Father in Heav'n, we do believe
The promise thou hast made;
Thy word with meekness we receive,
Just as thy Saints have said.
We now repent of all our sin
And come with broken heart,
And to thy covenant enter in
And choose the better part.
O Lord, accept us while we pray,
And all our sins forgive;
New life impart to us this day,
And bid the sinners live.
Gordon B. Hinckley
My Redeemer Lives
HYMNS:135
[Ed. note: See particularly the last verse]
I know that my Redeemer lives,
Triumphant Savior, Son of God,
Victorious over pain and death,
My King, my Leader, and my Lord.
He lives, my one sure rock of faith,
The one bright hope of men on earth,
The beacon to a better way,
The light beyond the veil of death.
Oh, give me thy sweet Spirit still,
The peace that comes alone from thee,
The faith to walk the lonely road
That leads to thine eternity.
