Simple Steps for More Meaningful Prayer

Most of the time we think of prayer only when we want something; but when we start by expressing gratitude for the things we already have, we begin to see our lives in a new way.    -Dwan J. Young

When men stop praying for God's spirit, they place confidence in their own unaided reason, and they gradually lose the spirit of God, just the same as near and dear friends, by never writing to or visiting with each other, will become strangers. -Heber J. Grant

When we worry about the future, we create unhappiness in the present. Righteous concern may lead us to take appropriate action, but worrying about things we cannot control can paralyze and demoralize us. -Joseph B. Wirthlin

The only way to obtain truth and wisdom, is not to ask it from books, but to go to God in prayer and obtain divine teaching. -Joseph Smith

We cannot, for the purposes of real prayer, hurriedly dress our words and attitudes in tuxedos when our shabby life is in rags. More than we realize, being honest with God in our prayers helps us to be more honest with ourselves. -Neal A. Maxwell

Filled with God's love, we can endure pain, quell fear, forgive freely, avoid contention, renew strength, and bless and help others in ways surprising even to us. -John H. Groberg

If we are worried about something and upset in our feelings, the inspiration does not come. If we so live that our minds are free from worry and our conscience is clear and our feelings are right toward one another, the operation of the Spirit of the Lord upon our spirit is as real as when we pick up the telephone. -Harold B. Lee

If we want something for our individual lives, we must have a great, earnest, overpowering desire for that thing. We must reach out for it, with full faith in our Heavenly Father that the gift may be given us. Then it would seem as if the Lord himself cannot resist our petition. If our desire is strong enough, if our whole will is tempered and attuned to that which we desire, if our lives make us worthy of the desired gift, the Lord, by his own words, is bound to give us that which we desire, in his own time and in his own manner. -John A. Widtsoe

The Sickness Called Silence

Just read this in Continue in Prayer by Neil J. Flinders (no, girls, no relation to Kizmet):

A husband and wife, parents and children, or even close friends may live and associate with one another for days, weeks, or even months without having any really unique or unusual communication experiences. Yet during this time they may be very happy and contented. They enjoy and bask in the congenial, common security of being in tune with one another. The habit of good communication can and often does create such relationships. A productive, healthy, relationship may have very few highlights or unusual events.
If, however, you introduce an intentional or even unintentional silence into such a happy relationship as described above, problems will inevitably and soon occur. Healthy, growing relationships depend on communication. If the communication link is suspended or broken, trouble will come. Silence seems to be Satan's strategy.
This is not only true in human relationships, it is also true in man's relationship with God. If Satan can persuade man to become silent with God, he has succeeded. Silence separates.
The best weapon man has against Satan is a healthy, growing relationship with his Father in Heaven. There is safety in the Lord - in our relationship with God. The key to maintaining a relationship, earthly or heavenly, is communication. This is why prayer is such a powerful and necessary tool. It is not only a strength for what it can bring into our lives from outside sources, but it is a strength in and of itself. It is careful counsel to continue in prayer. We ignore it at our own peril.