Is it an obligation? Is it an opportunity? Is it a compulsion? Is it a duty? Is it a habit? Is it a burden? Is it a plea? Is it a joy?

To commune with the Lord, we need to pray. Our prayers take many forms. Since most of us are blessed with frequent meals, we offer thanks and blessing over our food, often a simple prayer. Go without a full meal for a week, and the prayer of thanks and blessing takes on a different perspective; deeper gratitude and value! Circumstance often determines how loud we knock.

Jonah prayed from the whale’s belly, from the depths, a cry of repentance and deep supplication. How merciful, the Lord heard and answered!

Hannah cried out in bitterness, a barren womb, and promised to dedicate her child to the Lord; the miracle came, and Samuel was given to the Lord!

The son of the widow of Zerephath fell sick and died. Elijah prayed that the Lord would return his soul into his body. Glory to God, the child is revived!

Peter is imprisoned and the Saints are gathered in prayer. The angel delivers Peter. He knocks at the door, and Rhoda is so surprised that she runs to tell the Saints, and they lack the faith to believe their own prayers were answered and that Peter was released by the Power of God!

Alma is grieved by the actions of his wicked son, Alma. He prays with much faith; the angel visits, and his son is struck dumb and helpless. Alma the father rejoices knowing his prayers have been answered!

Solomon offers a dedicatory prayer for the temple, and fire falls from Heaven, consuming over 120,000 beasts of sacrifices. God is pleased!

“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

The scriptures are replete with the instrument of prayer utilized in the lives of Saints just like us. The few examples cited are meant to strengthen our faith to pray with expectation. The need is great!

2 Nephi 32:9, “But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.”

During the glorious visit of Jesus Christ upon this land, He commands the multitude “that they should cease to pray;” then He commands them “that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.” The Lord loves us and seeks our communion in prayer to Him at all times.

How marvelous that prayer enables us on earth to be heard in Heaven. With conditions so perilous, now is our time to utilize the instrument of prayer!

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.