As children learn to speak, they may babble as the desire hits them, even at seemingly the wrong times. As children grow, they speak out as thoughts hit them. We should think of our prayers that way. When the thought hits you, pray about it. You don't need formality to speak with God.

Would I listen or be more like the Nephites, pushing him out of the city and ignoring his warnings?

Jesus told his followers, and we see in many other places in the scriptures, that all who ask will receive an answer.  All who seek will find, and all who knock shall have the way or the door opened to them.  I have wondered, probably like all of us at some point, if this is just an unlimited or unqualified promise for us.  Can I have anything I want just for the asking?

We have been given the gift to kneel down and speak to our Maker. Have you ever thought about that directly? The King of the Universe, the infinitely powerful and infinitely loving God, has given us the gift of prayer. Even more, He pleads with us to speak with him.

A bit of an extended version of a talk, or sermon, that I shared today with some added sections that I did not use due to time limitations. I share many thoughts on prayer and end with a personal story about my mother’s best day and some Grosbeak birds as well.

I have found myself stuck in prayer many times, not knowing what to say or how to approach my thoughts. In the moment I can lose any connection to God or to my own thoughts. Here are some tips I’ve picked up to help.

Our prayers are the daily verses. The story of our personal lives, the struggles we feel, the help we need, and the joys and the gratitude we feel all are written into our daily verses. The chorus becomes the weekly Sacrament Prayers