Prayer Is A Personal Conversation With God That Brings Peace, Healing, Strength And Forgiveness

Gospel Basics Series: The Commandments

God commands us to pray to Him. The way to truly pray that brings power into your life is to have a conversation with God. Forget about memorized prayers. Don’t think that you can only talk with your God in formal settings such as when you are on your knees. You can pray at any time and in any setting. You can pray while you are driving your car, while you are cleaning your house. Praying while on the go is generally referred to having a prayer in your heart. Prayers on the go should not crowd out the formal prayers on your knees. Pray your way through your day.

Heavenly Father hears and answers your prayers. Sometimes the answer is no or not yet. Prayer is how you receive divine guidance and blessings from God. There is a law of asking. The scriptures say over and over again, ask and ye shall receive. If you don’t ask through prayer, God can’t give.

Sincere prayers are critical. God doesn’t want us to go through the motions in prayer. He truly wants to know what is on your mind and in your heart. Give God your fears by putting them on His shoulders. Beware that Satan will get involved the moment you make prayer a major part of your life. He will tell you not to pray.

I don’t think there is anybody who has made it through life without experiencing some degree of fear and anxiety. Some have it as a phobia. Satan uses fear with great effectiveness. Prayer is a significant way to kill your fears.

God wants you to pray with a sincere heart and with real intent. Real intent means you will do what He inspires you to do.

We pray to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. We end the prayer by saying the words “in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

It is also important to express our gratitude in our prayers. Identify the Lord’s hand in your life in all of your evening prayers. List out your blessings and what you are grateful for. Repentance and gratitude should be a focus of your evening prayers. It is a good idea to pray in your morning prayers for strength to overcome temptations. God can't forgive you unless you pray to Him. Prayer is a way to feel closer to God.

Habitually praying will help you consistently make better decisions. You will feel greater comfort and personal peace. You may be facing a personal calamity, but prayer will give you the internal peace to deal with it.

It is vital to recognize His influence in your life. He responds through the Holy Ghost. You must know when the Holy Ghost has touched your heart and expanded your mind. You know this when your heart is filled with love, peace and joy. Your mind will be filled with inspiring and uplifting thoughts.

You know you are under the influence of God when you feel a greater desire to be better and help others. The experience is hard to describe in words, but when it happens you will know.

Chapel Address and contact information: 1928 E. South Campus Drive, Salt Lake City; (University of Utah, next to the institute) 801-562-8089. You can also call 801-259-6709 for the mission home in Midvale if you want to talk to someone.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is a worldwide church. Most likely there is a chapel near you.

Go here to find a chapel near you if you don't live in the Salt Lake City, Utah area.

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