“For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray.” —2 Nephi 32:8
You should speak with God individually and regularly. But pray with others too—during worship services, before a meal, and in family prayer. One person usually offers the prayer on behalf of the group while others listen respectfully, think of the words being said, and show their agreement by saying “amen” at the end of the prayer.
In Psalm 55:17, King David said he would pray in the “evening, and morning, and at noon.” Typical times for personal prayer are as you start your day in the morning, before each meal, and before you go to bed at night. But there is never a wrong time to pray. God is always listening, so we can “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
There are times that call for extra prayer—like a prayer for healing, for protection, or for urgent needs. Fasting (purposefully going without food or drink for a period of time) combined with prayer helps show God your sincerity and provides spiritual strength.
God promises that when we turn to Him in prayer, He will give us answers and guidance.
“Ask, and it shall be give you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” —Matthew 7:7
God communicates with us through the Holy Spirit in the form of good thoughts and ideas or peaceful, comforting feelings. When we feel those things, it means God is encouraging us, showing us truth, and giving us direction.
Everyone will feel the Holy Spirit in their own way. In the Bible, it’s often described as a “still small voice” (see 1 Kings 19:11–12) that almost seems to whisper to your mind.
Often, God answers our prayers through others. God can put people into our lives at the right time who can give or be the answer we have been looking for. We can also get answers to prayers by reading what His prophets have taught in the Bible and Book of Mormon. When we pray and read these books, the Holy Spirit can give us personalized ideas and direction. Taking time to study His word is also a way we can show God that we truly desire an answer from Him.
Prayer is how we reach out to God. And more often than not, prayer lets God reach into our hearts and fill us with His love