We Pray to our Father in Heaven

Dear Gramps,

I´ve learned early in the church how to pray to our heavenly father. Anyway along my life as a member I´ve get involved in talking with the lord Jesus in prayer asking him how to manage my life. Elder Dickson of the seventies taught me when I was Distric President to be familiar with talking every day with the lord. Some members say that nothing is taught in the church about talking with the lord in ourprayers befor to pray our heavenly father asking for someting. I will appreciate your opinions about this subject.
Thanks and regards

Richard

Dear Richard,

Throughout His mortal ministry, Jesus taught us to pray to and to ask Our Father in Heaven for that which we need.  In the Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 6, Jesus states:  6 “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.  9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.  11 Give us this day our daily bread.  12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  13 ^aAnd lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

Our current leaders have also taught us to pray to Our Father in Heaven.  In the First Presidency message of March 1982, President Kimball stated:  “There is a knowledge that our Father in Heaven wants each of us to have, and that is a personal knowledge that He hears and answers our prayers.”  In the same article he  tells us to remember that the purpose that we pray is to communicate with our Father in Heaven.

What a glorious privilege we have to be able to communicate with Our Father in Heaven.  Though He knows what we need before we offer our prayers, it is important that we express our feelings and needs to Him.   We should always have a prayer in our hearts.   The Prophet Mormon counseled:  “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart.” (Moro. 7:48.)

Gramps