Gospel Principles
Unit 3: Communication between God and Man
Chapter 8: Praying to Our Heavenly Father
Concept 5: How Are Prayers Answered?
Our sincere prayers are always answered. Sometimes the answer may be no, because what we have asked for would not be best for us. Sometimes the answer is yes, and we have a warm, comfortable feeling about what we should do (D&C 9:8-9 "8 But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
9 But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."). Sometimes the answer is "wait a while. "Our prayers are always answered at a time and in a way that the Lord knows will help us the most.
Sometimes the Lord answers our prayers through other people. A good friend, a husband or wife, a parent or other family member, a Church leader, a missionary--any of these individuals may be inspired to perform acts that will answer our prayers. An example of this is the experience of a young mother whose baby was injured in an accident at home. She had no way to get the baby to a doctor. She was new in the neighborhood and did not know her neighbors. The young mother prayed for help. In a few minutes, a neighbor lady came to the door, saying, "I had a feeling I should come and see if you needed any help. "The neighbor helped the young mother get the baby to a doctor.
Often God gives us the power to help answer our own prayers. As we pray for help, we should do all we can to bring about the things we desire.
As we live the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray always, we will have joy and happiness. "Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers" (D&C 112:10).
Discussion
Are we always given what we ask for? Why not?
D&C 46:30."He that asketh in the Spirit asketh according to the will of God; wherefore it is done even as he asketh."
Why is it important to ask "according to the will of God"?
Ask members to share experiences of when and how the Lord has answered their prayers.
Close with your own testimony of prayer.
Encourage prayers in the family, blessings on the food, and individual prayer.
Additional Scriptures
James 1:5 (what to pray for)
"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."
1 Thessalonians 5:17; Psalm 55:17; 2 Nephi 32:9 (when to pray)
1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."
Psalm. 55:17 "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."
2 Nephi 32:9
" 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."
Alma 34:26 (where to pray)
"26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets , and your secret places, and in your wilderness."
3 Nephi 19:6, 24; 1 Timothy 4:15 (how to pray)
3 Nephi 19:6, 24
"6 And the twelve did teach the multitude; and behold, they did cause that the multitude should kneel down upon the face of the earth, and should pray unto the Father in the name of Jesus."
"24 And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire."
1 Timothy 4:15
"15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."
D&C 88:63-65 (how prayers are answered)
"63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."
"64 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;"
"65 And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation ".
Moroni 10:3-5; Alma 37:37 (promises for prayer)
Moroni. 10:3-5
"3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."
Alma 37:37
"37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."