What is the doctrine of prayer? Prayer is intimate communication with God, the channel for inspiration, the most direct means for expressing gratitude, the posture and essence of humility, the witness of a broken heart, the voice of a contrite spirit, the start and finish of the quest for forgiveness—all of these things and many more characterize the nobility and the sacredness of prayer to our Heavenly Father. As such, the Lord teaches and demonstrates the substance and manner of prayer on every occasion where He ministers to the people. Prayer is the soul of gospel living. Says President Thomas S. Monson: “Times have not really changed. Prayer continues to provide power—spiritual power. Prayer continues to provide peace—spiritual peace. Wherever we may be, our Heavenly Father can hear and answer the prayer offered in faith” (Pathways to Perfection [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1973], 28–29).
Elder Russell M. Nelson reminds the sisters of the Church—and by extension, all members—that our influence becomes great through prayer:
“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good.” (Alma 37:37.) Pray alone in your closet—in the solitude of your own sanctuary. Pour out the longings of your soul. Then pray with and for your husband, your sons and daughters, your sisters and brothers, your mother and father, and all in your family. Let the weight of your innocence be felt as you lovingly motivate others to good works. With your mind so attuned to the Lord and his power, your influence for good becomes immeasurably great. And in this world of sin and temptation, the power of prayer will protect you and be a shield for your loved ones. (The Power within Us [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1988], 111)
We are to pray by the Spirit always in the name of Jesus Christ for that which is right, exercising our faith. Christ is our advocate with the Father in prayer. Prayer is acceptable to the Father only in the name of Jesus Christ. Elder Marion G. Romney has taught us this principle:
Associated with belief in God the Eternal Father is belief in his Son Jesus Christ and an acceptance of his divine mission as the Redeemer of the world. This belief is as basic to true prayer as is belief in God, the Eternal Father. It is because Jesus is our Redeemer and therefore our advocate with the Father that we must always pray unto the Father in his name. While yet in mortality he said to his disciples, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6.) He promised them that if they prayed in his name, they should receive whatsoever they should ask. (John 14:13–14; 15:16; 16:23–24, 26.) To the Nephite multitude, whom he taught after his resurrection, he said, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:19), and to this generation, “Thou shalt continue in calling upon God in my name.” ( D. & C. 24 5.)
I call these well-known teachings to your attention because on a number of occasions recently I have heard prayers in religious services which were not offered in his name. Latter-day Saints ought not to be ignorant of these commandments nor hesitant about obeying them. Our hearts are filled with gratitude beyond expression for what the Savior has done for us. We sing with feeling, “Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me!” Every time we partake of the sacrament, we witness unto the Father that we are willing to take upon us the name of his Son. A prayer not offered in his name suggests insincerity or lack of understanding. (CR, October 1944, 54–55)
The scriptures offer a rich and abundant inventory of wisdom on the subject of prayer. We should pray for all things (see Alma 34:17–28) and always in the name of Jesus Christ because He is our advocate with the Father (see 3 Nephi 18:19, 20, 21, 23). We should keep a prayer in our hearts (see 3 Nephi 20:1). We should fast and pray for faith, humility, and sanctification (see Helaman 3:35). We should pray for the Spirit (see Alma 8:10; D&C 42:14). We should fast and pray for all those who know not God (see Alma 6:6). We should pray for the wayward (see Mosiah 27:14). We are to pray mightily (see 2 Nephi 4:24; Enos 1:4; Alma 8:10; Moroni 2:2). The Lord has counsels us here in 3 Nephi that we must watch and pray always so as not to enter into temptation. This counsel is absolutely vital to us if we are to survive in the world in which we live—for Satan truly desires to sift us as wheat. Ammon says it best. “I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things” (Alma 26:12). Nephi laments the problems of temptations and sins that so easily beset him, but he trusts in the Lord (see 2 Nephi 4:19–35.)