I recently had to have some medical imaging that required an I.V. My veins tend to roll away from needles (smart veins, if you ask me), so I have to explain that we’ll need not just a vein finder, but an ultrasound to help the nurse find them.
Unfortunately, they didn’t have one available. But fortunately, I lucked out and got a fabulous nurse. She was kind and cheerful, and commented on my T-shirt. I was wearing one they had given to Seminary teachers, printed with a graphic about the worldwide gathering of Israel.
“My husband has the same shirt,” she smiled. What a fun way to learn that we are both Latter-day Saints. She had even bought several of my books.
As she got my arm ready, I said a silent prayer. And she got it on the first attempt!
“I was praying,” I whispered. “Me too,” she whispered back.
Once again, I realized how wonderful it is to meet a devoted fellow church member and feel an instant bond. Immediately, the Holy Ghost tells us about them: They’ve paid the price to gain a testimony, they know the plan of salvation, they know the importance of temples, they sustain our Prophet, they probably have a calling, they are striving and repenting like we all do, on and on—so many similarities at our very core. And we both believe in prayer.
I feel certain that her prayer strengthened mine. I’ve felt this blending of souls at other times as well, when hearts join and a friend reaches out to Heavenly Father at the same time as I do, both of us earnestly speaking to God in faith.
In Matthew 18:20 we read, “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Joining together in prayer has power.
So my first suggestion is to pray with those you are assigned to minister to. You may think they are already praying for help with their struggles, but this might not be so. And even if they are regularly praying, the prayer of a friend means the world to most of us. We feel loved, and we know we can trust this person with our heart’s desires. Praying brings Christ right back to the middle of our relationship. It’s the perfect closing at the end of your time together.
And, speaking of bringing Christ into the middle of a relationship, that brings me to the second tip: Pray when you’re having a quarrel or difficulty with a family member. Pray with that person, if they will allow it. When both of you humble yourselves before your Father in Heaven, hearts soften, humility grows, and solutions come to mind. This will not be a prayer laden with trite phrases; it will express love and the fervent desire to work things out and to follow inspiration. These prayers can heal in a big way. President Gordon B. Hinckley said, “Prayer unlocks the power of heaven in our behalf.”
Remember God does not want us to have contention; He is eager to help us restore harmony in our homes. And think of the gift it is, to ask Him for help. Elder Richard G. Scott once said, “Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me… to converse with Him as our Father.”
The third way to strengthen prayers is to slow down. Pause for a few minutes before—and after– you pray. Gather your thoughts. Think about what you are grateful for. Ask God what you can do for him, instead of the other way around.
Think about how you’re really doing. We all say “fine” or “great” when someone asks “How are you doing?” but we should all ask Heavenly Father, “How AM I doing?” What lack I yet?
And if you can’t think of what to pray for, make that your prayer! Ask Heavenly Father what you should be praying about. Slow down, and you may get a surprising answer.
The fourth way to strengthen prayers is to study the scriptures every day. There is something magical about making this a daily habit. It brings our spirits into a holier place, a place where we can hear revelation. And often, that can come while we are praying. Studying the scriptures is vastly different from simply reading them, or letting your eyes flow over the page. Stop often to contemplate the message, find related scriptures, and apply them to your life. Your prayers will absolutely change.
Fifth, utilize the power of fasting when your prayers need an extra boost, when hardships are raining down, and when all seems lost. In Alma 17:9 we are reminded, “They fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of His Spirit to go with them, and abide with them.” Henry B. Eyring has said that fasting can change hearts and minds. Isn’t that what we often want—to change a heart or a mind? (Sometimes it’s our heart or mind that needs changing.) Fasting helps us separate from the pull of the world, the concerns of our physical body, and elevates our focus.
Some time ago I wrote a book called, The Power of Prayer, and in one chapter I talked about the faith of the Brother of Jared in the book of Ether, which happens to be the Come Follow Me reading this week. Jared’s brother is tasked with transporting God’s people to a new land, in an underwater boat. But there is no lighting. This is a beautiful study on prayer, because God tells him to study it out and present a plan. He does, and asks God to touch the stones he has gathered, to make them glow with light. His faith is so strong that he even sees the hand of God as the stones are touched.
This is what all of us want—to find the right stones and then ask God to help us. Every one of us can exercise faith to make our prayers more powerful and our lives more blessed. Prayer is how we call home, how we reach out to our loving Father in Heaven, and connect with His infinite love and wisdom. Perhaps an important prayer is to pray for better prayers. Let’s do it.
Hilton’s book, A Little Christmas Prayer, is the perfect Christmas gift. Sometimes it takes a child to raise a village, and this tale teaches anyone, of any faith, the magic of gratitude. All her books and Youtube Mom videos can be found at jonihilton.com.
