Amulon is so determined to punish Alma’s people that he forbids their prayers. Rather than stop, however, they simply say them silently. Ancient societies were more communal, and certainly more oral than modern cultures. For those who could read, it was typically reading out loud. It was rare to have someone who could read silently. Thus, the idea that they could not pray vocally would have appeared to put a stop to prayer.
The importance of this verse for the ancient world is lost on modern readers who assume that prayer can be silent. For Alma’s people, it was second best, but they were still able to pour out their hearts to God.
Jehovah answered their prayers, promising that they would be delivered. What is important in the response is that it was not immediate. The promise was given, but it took time. Once again, agency is involved. While the right time was yet to come, Jehovah assisted Alma’s people by making them stronger so that their burdens were not as dire.
For a great many modern readers, we have the same problem of waiting for needed help, even when promised. We too can take heart in knowing that we can be strengthened to be able to better bear our burdens until such time as they can be removed.