Gospel Principles
Unit 3: Communication between God and Man
Chapter 8: Praying to Our Heavenly Father
Concept 4: How Should We Pray?
"No matter where we are, whether we stand or kneel, whether we pray vocally or silently, whether we pray privately or in behalf of a group, we should always pray in faith, "with a sincere heart, with real intent" (Moroni 10:4).
As we pray to our Heavenly Father, we should tell him what we really feel in our hearts, confide in him, ask him for forgiveness, plead with him, thank him, express our love for him. We should not repeat meaningless words and phrases (Matthew 6:7-8 "7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him."). We should always ask that his will be done, remembering that what we desire may not be best for us (3 Nephi 18:20 "And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."). At the end of our prayer, we close in the name of Jesus Christ (3 Nephi 18:19 "Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;")."