Prayer and Fasting

What is prayer?

Prayer is perhaps the most important aspect of worship, both public and private.  Through prayer, an individual can speak to God.  Many people pray, but some people find it difficult because they do not understand its purpose or who it is to whom they pray.  When we realize that God is our Father, we will realize that prayer is way of talking to our Heavenly Father.  In our prayers we can share our burdens with God, thank Him for His goodness to us, and seek answers or help from Him.

How should I pray?

Jesus taught us the basic outline for prayer.  He said:

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
(Matthew 6:7-13)

Our prayers should be honest and sincere and not use “vain repetitions” by constantly repeating the same words.  Prayer can become like a conversation with a loving Heavenly Father.  This pattern which Jesus taught is like an outline for prayer.

• Begin by addressing God
• Thank God for your blessings
• Share your burdens and problems with God
• Ask for help or understanding
• Close in the name of Jesus Christ

Prayer can often be combined with fasting.  In fasting, we abstain from food and drink for a period of twenty-four hours, or two meals.  This helps us obtain spiritual power.  Generally when Mormons fast, they also donate money to the poor, usually by giving it to their bishop who distributes it to the poor and needy in the area.  The prophet Isaiah described the best fast:

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to they house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hid not thyself from thine own flesh? (Isaiah 58:6-7)

Through fasting we can find peace and rest for our souls and find spiritual power to overcome sins and temptations.  We can also express our gratitude for the many blessings we have.

How will God answer my prayers?

Members are reminded that they can receive real answers from Heavenly Father, and that answers to prayers may come in many different ways.  The Spirit of God is a channel through which God will answer your prayers.  He will come into your heart and mind and teach you the truth.

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:26

But how are we to know when the Holy Ghost is teaching us?  Both the Bible and the Book of Mormon teach that one thing the Holy Ghost will always do is testify of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said:

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
John 16:13-14

One way to know that something is true is to see if it testifies of Jesus Christ.  The Holy Spirit will confirm to you in your heart that the testimony is true as you read it and pray about it.  The Apostle Paul taught us how to recognize the Spirit in our lives:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23

When we feel love, joy, and peace enter into our hearts, we can know that the Holy Spirit is telling us that what we are reading and pondering is true for “[e]very good gift and every perfect gift is from above” (James 1:17).  When we feel the Spirit of God bring peace and joy into our lives we should bow down and thank God in prayer and then act on that testimony.

Answers to prayers may also come through events that occur in our lives. As prayers are given more often and more sincerely it will be easier to discern when they are being answered.

How often should I pray?

Amulek, a Book of Mormon prophet taught that we should:

[C]ry unto [God] for mercy; for he is mighty to save. Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks. Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening. Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies. Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. 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 (Alma 34:18-27, pg 294).

There is not a set number of times that we should pray each day.  Most Mormons try to pray when they get up and when they go to bed.  They pray before meals to thank God for giving them food.  We should also carry a prayer in our heart.  The Doctrine and Covenants counsels us to “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work” (D&C 10:5).   Paul said we should “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17).  This does not mean that we should sit and pray all the time and never do any work, but rather we should pray consistently and faithfully and carry a prayer always in our hearts.