The Prayer of Faith

In President Eyring’s recent general conference talk he suggested that we participate in the work of the Restoration “when we understand and believe that Heavenly Father hears our every prayer” and suggested that “the prayer of faith is the key to revelation from God.” He continued, saying that Joseph “prayed in faith believing that God the Father would answer his prayer. He prayed in faith, believing that only through Jesus Christ could he be freed from the guilt he felt for his sins. And he prayed in faith, believing that he needed to find the true Church of Jesus Christ to gain that forgiveness.” The prayer of faith was what opened the Restoration, and it is vital for us “to obtain continuous revelation.” He quoted Brigham Young who said, “I do not know any other way for the Latter-day Saints than for every breath to be virtually a prayer for God to guide and direct his people.” The way forward for us, whatever the difficulty or challenge that we face, starts with the prayer of faith. President Eyring suggested further what the essence of our prayers should be: “As we remember Jesus Christ always, we might ask in silent prayer, ‘What would He have me do?’ Such prayer, offered in faith in Jesus Christ, ushered in this last dispensation. And it will be at the heart of the part each of us will play in its continuing unfolding.” Ultimately what matters most for each of us each day is the answer to that prayer. Finding the answer to that question will be the key to playing our part in the Restoration.

               In this dispensation the Lord has made it very clear that we must come unto Him with the “prayer of faith.” We are to “be diligent and humble, and exercise the prayer of faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 104:80). The Lord taught that “the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith” and that the Comforter will teach us “through the prayer of faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:14, 52:9). All things are to be done “by common consent in the church, by the prayer of faith,” and we uphold the prophet “by the prayer of faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 28:13,43:12). Joseph was told that “by the prayer of your faith he shall receive my law,” and we all receive blessings from the Lord as we “desire it through the prayer of faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:44). In a time of great trial for the Saints in Jackson County the Lord declared, “All victory and glory is brought to pass unto you through your diligence, faithfulness, and prayers of faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 103:36).  It is not enough just to pray; we must believe that the Lord truly hears our petitions. We must believe that the Lord can indeed grant them according to His will and show us those things that we should do. And we must have faith that our prayers can make a difference for us and for others. Joseph Smith “asked in childlike faith what the Lord would have him do. His answer changed the history of the world.” Our prayers can similarly have a powerful effect on our world if we truly pray to the Lord in faith.