Prayer

 What should we pray for?

Does the language we use in prayers affect whether or not our prayers are heard?

What did Christ pray for, and in what language?

"The evil one teacheath a man not to pray."

https://rsc.byu.edu/book-mormon-3-nephi-9-30-my-gospel/pray-always-learning-pray-jesus-prayed

Prayer is the goal of an individual to place him or herself in spiritual harmony with God the Father and Creator of all. According to latter-day prophets and apostles, prayer consists of much more than directing “mere words” or thoughts towards deity, but represents “the pulsation of a yearning, loving heart in tune with the Infinite.” Prayer is “a message of the soul sent directly to a loving Father. . . [it is] spirit vibration” (McKay 308). Prayer is having “a consciousness that there is something within us which is divine, which is part of the Infinite, which is the offspring of God, and until we can feel that harmony with that Infinite, we have not sensed the power of prayer” (302). Prayer, accompanied by works, “is the invisible switch to tune us with the infinite” (Kimball 62), it is placing ourselves “in harmony with divine forces” 

An effective prayer is one in which an individual prays with “real intent of heart” (Moroni 7:9), with “all the energy of heart” (Moroni 7:48), and with “the sincerity of his heart” (D&C 5:24). In these passages, the heart represents the spiritual and inner emotive aspect of ourselves.

Pray for: 

• Alma in Ammoniah prays to be able to "baptize unto repentance."
• Pray to receive a knowledge of the tribes of Israel (3Ne:4)
• Pray for: God's mercy on us, against the power of enemies, against the devil, over the crops and flocks of the field - that we may prosper and that they may increase (Alma 34:17-28)
• give thanks (1Ne2:7)
• to know the mysteries of God (1Ne2:16)
• to glorify Christ "Hosannah" (3Ne11:17)
• to have our debts forgiven (Lord's Prayer)
• against temptations & to be delivered from evil (Lord's Prayer)
• ask to understand the words of Christ (3Ne17:3)
• Share your troubles (3Ne17:14 - Christ)
• pray for what is right   (3Ne 18: 20)
• for wives and children to be blessed (3Ne 18:21)
• for those who come worship with us often (3Ne18:23)
• Holy Ghost  (3Ne19:9)
• for people to receive the Holy Ghost  if they believe in Christ (3 Ne 19:23)
• express gratitude for those who have been and will be purified by the words of Christ (3Ne 19:28)
• For those out of the world , because of their faith, that they may be purified in Christ (3Ne19:29)
• to solve disputations in the Church (3Ne27:3 - name of the church)
• to speedily come into the kingdom (3Ne 28:2)
• never taste death & bring souls unto Christ - 3 Nephites (3Ne 28:7, 9)
• pray for those we lead, even if there is no faith in them (Mormon 3:12)
• pray not to be confounded (mixed-up with other people) and understand our words (Ether 1:34)
• ask what the Lord will do with us and if he will take us to a choice land (Ether 1:38)
• for our friends, that God will not turn his anger towards them, and that their language may not be confounded (Ether1:36)

Where to pray:

• in the fields over our flocks (work), in our houses, inner closets, in our secret places and in our wilderness. (Alma 34:17-28)
• onto the mount, often (1Ne 18:3)
• at the altar (1Ne 2:7)
• in secret in our closet (3NE13:6)
• in our families (3Ne18:21)
• in our hearts (3Ne20:1)

When to pray:

• morning, midday, evening (Alma 34:17-28)
• always, lest you're tempted by the devil (3Ne:18:15)
• after the Sacrament - to give glory to Christ (3Ne20:9)

How to pray

• Make an offering (1 Ne2:7)
• use not vain repetitions (3Ne 13:7)
• kneel down (3Ne17:13)
• say great and marvelous things ( Christ - 3Ne17:16,17)

Who to pray to:

• to the Father (Christ and disciples pray to the Father in 3 Ne)

Consequences of prayer

• Become white as Jesus (3Ne19:31)
• hearts are open and we understand the words of Christ (3 Ne19: 33)
• If prayer = faith, then we see miracles and hear great things (3Ne19:36)