Goal: Pray with Purpose

Prayer is your direct connection to Heavenly Father, who is always ready to listen and bless you. You can strengthen your connection to Him by praying with purpose and intent. This includes asking to know what Heavenly Father wants you to do, listening for His answers, and acting on promptings you receive. When you pray with purpose and intent, you can be blessed with increased strength, peace, and a closer relationship to God.

• Set a goal to pray morning and night. Create a reminder, such as a note or a picture, to help you remember to pray.
• Read Joseph Smith—History 1:11–18 and note the specific things that Joseph Smith did when he prayed (such as kneeling down and praying out loud). Choose one or two of these things and try doing them to help your own prayers be more meaningful.
• Take a few minutes before you pray to think about things you need or want to pray for, or things that you are thankful for. You might consider writing these things down to help you remember.
• Read and study recent general conference talks about prayer and receiving personal revelation through the Holy Ghost. Make a list of things you learn.
• Study examples in the scriptures of individuals who prayed with purpose. Pay special attention to prayers offered by the Savior in the New Testament and the Book of Mormon. Do you notice things that these prayers have in common?
• Pay special attention to the thoughts that come to your mind while you pray or after you pray. Follow through with the actions you’re prompted to take.

• Russell M. Nelson, “Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 93–96
• Richard G. Scott, “Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 8–11
• “Prayer,” Gospel Topics, topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org