Prayer

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Prayer

Mormon prayer is a sincere, heartfelt talk with God the Father. Mormons pray only to God, they do not pray to any other being or to anything made by man or God.

Kneeling in prayer ©

Prayer does not consist of words, altogether. True, faithful, earnest prayer consists more in the feeling that rises from the heart and from the inward desire of our spirits to supplicate the Lord in humility and in faithJoseph Smith

How to pray

The Church advises that a simple prayer should follow four basic steps:

• Address God as "Father in Heaven" or "Heavenly Father."
• Thank Him for the things for which you are grateful.
• Ask Him for what you need.
• Jesus is the Mediator between us and Heavenly Father, so end your prayer by saying, "In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Prayer language

Mormons use formal and respectful language for prayer, referring to God with "Thee" and "Thou".

Individual prayer

Individual Mormons usually pray privately every morning and night.

Family Prayer

Mormon families aim to come together in family prayer every morning and evening. Common topics of prayer include everyday activities and prayer for strength to resist temptation. All members of the family take their turn in leading prayer.

Mormon families normally ask a blessing on food before eating.

Answers to prayer

Mormons will often take time at the end of prayers to do some intense listening to try and "hear" God's response.

Answers from the Lord come quietly--ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their ears. Most answers from the Lord are felt in our heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thoughts to our mind. They come to those who are prepared and who are patient.H. Burke Peterson

Public prayer

Anyone can offer prayers in a church meeting. The pronouns Thee, Thy, Thine, and Thou are used, as usual, when addressing the Heavenly Father. At the end of the prayer everyone says "amen".

Prayers are expected to be simple and brief; showy prayers or disguised sermons are frowned upon.

Formal prayers

The Church has very few formal set prayers. They are the prayers used in temple ordinances, the baptismal prayer, and the two sacrament prayers.