Pray Always

It only took Nephi six verses to mention prayer in the first chapter of the Book of Mormon as he described his father Lehi’s ministry: “Wherefore it came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people” (1 Nephi 1:5). That kind of heartfelt, sincere prayer was a part of Nephi’s story from the beginning to the end. He explained at the start of his story how he came to understand and accept his father’s words: “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father” (1 Nephi 2:16). Nephi prayed when he was tied up by his brothers, when he wanted to see the things his father saw, when he needed help building the ship, when he was bound on that ship by his brethren, and when he was struggling because of the wickedness of his brothers. It is fitting that he would give us this counsel to us near the end of his life: “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” (2 Nephi 32:9). Nephi clearly prayed always, and his example invites us to do the same.

            Throughout the rest of the Book of Mormon we have several other invitations to pray always or continually or without ceasing. Nephi’s brother Jacob invited the Nephites with these words, “Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice” (2 Nephi 9:52). We should pray unto him continually throughout the day and give thanks at night. We read of Alma (the Elder) and those who served with him in these words: “And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also admonished, every one by the word of God, according to his sins, or to the sins which he had committed, being commanded of God to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things” (Mosiah 26:39). They taught their people to pray without ceasing, and in the next chapter we see how Alma’s unceasing prayers for his wicked son brought an angel. That son later taught the people of Ammonihah this way: “But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering” (Alma 13:28). We should pray continually no matter what our circumstances. Amulek used the same words as he invited the Zoramites, “Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he rewardeth you no good thing” (Alma 34:39). The Nephites after the great war with the Lamanites did that: “And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land” (Alma 62:51). Mormon also described his own prayers in similar language to his son Moroni: “I am mindful of you always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep you through the endurance of faith on his name to the end” (Moroni 8:3). We too should seek to be “continually praying to God” for those we love.

            The Savior also emphasized prayer in a major way during his visit to the Nephites and Lamanites. After praying multiple times with them, he said this: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him…. Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name; And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you. Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.” (3 Nephi 18:15, 18-21). Twice he invited them to “watch and pray always” and He helped them understand how that was to be done. After they had spent time praying with Him, He said this: “And it came to pass that he commanded the multitude that they should cease to pray, and also his disciples. And he commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts” (3 Nephi 20:1). We of course cannot physically pray every waking minute, but a prayer should be in our hearts throughout all our doings each day. I think these words of Amulek sum up well this consistent message of the Book of Mormon: “But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you” (Alma 34:26-27).