My first experiences in learning to pray came as a child watching my dad. I remember him praying for help and guidance in so many situations. We regularly prayed each morning and night as a family, and I saw him pray often on his own as well. One experience stands out and had a huge impact on me. One time, after my dad and others had herded some cows across the river on horseback, one of my younger brothers came up missing. From my upstairs bedroom window, I saw my dad, desperate with worry, leaning against the house with his head bowed saying a humble prayer that he would find him. My Dad was my hero and always seemed so strong, but in this situation, I could see and feel his desperation and humble turning to the Lord. I learned so much from this experience. It taught me that when I have a problem, I can always pray. My dad prayed often and asked for specific help for our family, our ranch,
and many other things. I could sense his faith that his prayers would be answered, and I know they were. His example taught me to pray for help in every situation. I am eternally grateful for what he taught me because it has blessed my life.
My mom taught me to “pray always.” Through her pure and simple faith, she showed by example how to pray for help in all things–large and small. And I saw her prayers being answered!
Thankfully, we found my brother. He was next door at Grandma Hopkin’s house eating cookies! What a relief! This same grandma also taught me the power of prayer. I remember staying at her house and being woke up to the sound of her voice, praying aloud from her bedroom, which was just down the hall. Her prayers were long, and she prayed specifically for each of her children, their spouses, and her grandchildren, asking specifically for help they needed. I felt her faith and the power of her prayers.
I am so grateful for these treasured experiences. These lessons in prayer have been a blessing to my life, helping me to understand that whenever I needed help I could turn to God in prayer! I have come to know that God answers all our sincere prayers–in His own way, and according to His own timing–but always with the greatest possible love and concern for our well-being. The answers we seek do not always come right away, but we can feel His love, peace, and strengthening power each time we pray. And answers do come, even miracles!
In the Book of Mormon, when the Savior visited the people after His resurrection, he counseled them to “watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation…” and to “pray in your families unto the Father…that your [spouses] and your children may be blessed,” and promised that “whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.” (3 Nephi 18:18-21)
In a talk about prayer given by Russell M. Nelson, President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he said,
“One of the things the Spirit has repeatedly impressed upon my mind since my new calling as President of the Church is how willing the Lord is to reveal His mind and will. The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.
“Through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will assist us in all our righteous pursuits.
“…Imagine the miracle of it! …we can pray to our Heavenly Father and receive
guidance and direction, be warned about dangers and distractions, and be enabled to accomplish things we simply could not do on our own. If we will truly receive the Holy Ghost and learn to discern and understand His promptings, we will be guided in matters large and small.” (“Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Russell M. Nelson).
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2018/04/revelation-for-the-church-revelation-for-our-lives?lang=eng
I know that our prayers can and will be answered in all the ways mentioned by President Nelson. We can be guided, warned, comforted, strengthened, given insights that enlighten our minds, and given enabling power to do what we need to do. I have experienced all these things for myself. I am so grateful for the beautiful gift of prayer and for the countless blessings it has brought to my life!