Praying Fervently

  The second safety tool that our prophet has counseled us to use daily is that of  "praying fervently." We are all children of our Heavenly Father. He loves us with an "everlasting love" (Jeremiah. 31:3) and he knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows our needs and wants and is anxious to hear from us! When the Lord Jesus Christ was ministering among the people on the American continent, He commanded, “Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3 Nephi 18:19).

  As we make it a daily habit to approach God in prayer, our relationship with Him will strengthen and we will come to, more fully, know His will for us. "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." (Prayer; Bible Dictionary)
  Notice, President Monson urges us to not only pray, but to pray fervently. How much more willing will our Father in Heaven be to bless us if we pray with fervor. The word "fervently" is defined as "having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc." The prophet Mormon counseled us that we must pray “with all the energy of heart” (Moroni 7:48). Therefore, let us remember to approach our Father as such. This also means that we must make our prayers meaningful. Mormon also warned that if anyone “shall pray and not with real intent of heart . . . it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such” (Moroni 7:9).
  God is always listening, and He always answers - in His own due time. He is no respecter of persons. Recall the promise made to us by James: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)

  President Monson said, "To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. . .Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer."

  There is a quote that I often reflect upon; It brings me peace and a sense of God's loving nature. Jeffrey R. Holland once stated, "We must not succumb to the fear that God has abandoned us or that He does not hear our prayers. He does hear us. He does see us. He does love us." In this day and age especially, we cannot afford to not pray. I know that God lives. He hears and answers our prayers. It has been said that "two men can accomplish anything, as long as one of them is God."