A powerful prayer comes from the heart and has a purpose. It is stated in simple terms that express our feelings and desires. It is a communication with our Father, not an attempt to connect with a stranger. If we struggle to stay connected because our mind is wandering or we are so tired that we are drifting off to sleep, then our prayer is not going to bring us into the Lord’s presence. If our prayers have become routine and hollow, if they do not take much thought on our part or can’t even hold our attention, they are certainly not powerful enough to call on the powers of heaven.
When we pray, we must be focused on what we are saying. We cannot pray with little thought and expect to be rewarded with blessings. For our prayer to be efficacious, we must pray with faith. We must expect to be heard and understood. We have to believe what the scriptures tell us.
“Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.” 3 Nephi 14:7-8
Not all prayers are the same. There are times when we pray with a light and happy heart to thank the Lord for all the blessings we have received. We pray with reverence and awe when we pray to acknowledge His greatness. We pray with gratitude when a prayer has been answered. We may pray with urgency when we face a problem that overwhelms us, and that urgency may increase at times when we are especially weighed down by pain and suffering. When we have sinned and have need for forgiveness or when we are struggling to find immediate relief, we pray with our entire heart and soul. When we feel a real need for divine intervention, we will pray as Enos did.
“And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.” Enos 1: 4
If we are to dispel the darkness that invades our thoughts and feelings, we must bring the Holy Ghost into our lives with all the intensity and frequency we can muster. Our prayers are not all going to have the same effect on us, but we should expect in every heartfelt prayer to be able to sense the presence of the Holy Ghost.
“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.” D&C 19:38
Sometimes it seems we cannot pray; the words just won’t come. The Savior knows our thoughts. He can tell what prayer we have in our hearts. In those times, we reach out with an unspoken prayer and spirit speaks to Spirit.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26
The Lord gives us what we need when He deems the time to be right. He blesses us with moments of great peace and tranquility as we offer prayers of gratitude, repentance and love. He answers our pleas for relief and gives us access to the Comforter. Our mighty prayers will provide frequent interaction with the Holy Ghost, and we will be Happy Like Jesus.
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