Prayer - Part 1

D&C 104:79
And it is my will that you shall humble yourselves before me, and obtain this blessing by your diligence and humility and the prayer of faith.

In order to obtain blessings from the Lord we must be 1)humble and 2) diligent and 3) pray in faith.

D&C 19:28
And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.

We offer different prayers for different reasons. When I pray out loud in my closet, I often feel closer to my Father. If I were to only pray in public, it would show the lack of a personal relationship with Heavenly Father. I would most likely be doing it for the praise of the world, to look good in the eyes of others. If I were only to pray in private, it might show a fear of man, what others think of me, more than a fear of the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

I find it so amazing that Heavenly Father commands us to express gratitude. I'm sure He feels joy when we recognize His hand in our lives, but I'm even more sure that this commandment is more for our benefit than for His. There is a refining, humbling power in gratitude. I also know that whenever I am recognizing, and grateful for, the tender mercies of the Lord in my life, I am happier than when I fail to see His hand in my life.

James 1:5
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Do we really have the faith that Heavenly Father will give us wisdom when we ask Him for it? I know that the Father answers our prayers for He has answered my prayers so many times and in so many, many ways.

Alma 34:27
Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

I used to feel that I wasn't being reverent or praying properly when I wasn't down on my knees in a quiet place. But I have found that I can connect to Heavenly Father in prayer when I am driving in my car, when I am in a noisy restaurant, when I am in the middle of a test at school. He is there, always waiting and ready to listen.