Special Witness

From “In the Strength of the Lord,” Ensign, May 2004, 17; “Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 39–40; “‘Write upon My Heart,’” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 86; “To Draw Closer to God,” Ensign, May 1991, 66.

Why is it important for me to pray?

Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares some of his thoughts on this subject.

Answers [to prayers] were most clear when what I wanted was silenced by an overpowering need to know what God wanted. It is then that the answer from a loving Heavenly Father can be spoken to the mind by the still, small voice and can be written on the heart.

When the Savior appeared among the people on [the American] continent, he taught them how to pray. He used the words, “Pray always.” That doesn’t mean now and then. It doesn’t mean to pray only when you feel like it.

The first, the middle, and the last thing to do is to pray.

Personal prayer can build our faith to do what God commands. We are commanded to pray always that we will not be overcome.

We can pray every day to know what God would have us do. We can commit to start to do it quickly when the answer comes. Then, we can choose to obey.

Illustrations by Sue Todd; Behold Your Little Ones © 1995 Gary L. Kapp, courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Jon Robertson—do not copy.