'Ye must watch and pray always.' (3 Nephi 18:15)

'Ye must watch and pray always.' (3 Nephi 18:15)

Prayer is the simple communication between God the Father and His beloved children. God has promised to answer the prayers of those who humbly ask.

Has something small or big worked out for you today?

Recognize God’s blessings by saying a prayer to give Him thanks.

Feel like you’re not getting answers to your prayers?

Ask God to help you be an answer to someone else’s prayer.

How many people do you know who could really use a heartfelt prayer?

Say a prayer in which you never mention your own needs but instead pray solely for them.

Thomas S. Monson October 2013 'We Never Walk Alone'

As our prayers ascend heavenward, let us not forget the words taught to us by the Savior. When He faced the excruciating agony of Gethsemane and the cross, He prayed to the Father, “Not my will, but thine, be done.” Luke 22:42 Difficult as it may at times be, it is for us, as well, to trust our Heavenly Father to know best how and when and in what manner to provide the help we seek.

I cherish the words of the poet:

I know not by what methods rare,

But this I know, God answers prayer.

I know that He has given His Word,

Which tells me prayer is always heard,

And will be answered, soon or late.

And so I pray and calmly wait.

I know not if the blessing sought

Will come in just the way I thought;

But leave my prayers with Him alone,

Whose will is wiser than my own,

Assured that He will grant my quest,

Or send some answer far more blest.6 [Eliza M. Hickok, “Prayer,” in James Gilchrist Lawson, ed., The Best Loved Religious Poems (1933), 160.]

Of course, prayer is not just for times of trouble. We are told repeatedly in the scriptures to “pray always” Luke 21:36 see also 3 Nephi 18:15 and to keep a prayer in our hearts.3 Nephi 20:1 The words of a favorite and familiar hymn pose a question which we would do well to ask ourselves daily: “Did you think to pray?”