Lesson Notes

Our lesson today was a talk given by Elder Russell M. Nelson from the last General Conference entitled "Lessons from the Lord's Prayer".  Elder Nelson reminded us of the importance of prayer when he said, "When should we pray?  Whenever we desire!  Alma taught, 'Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good...'  Jesus reminded his disciples 'that they should not cease to pray in their hearts.'"

Elder Nelson taught that we can enhance our prayers by:

1.  fasting.  The Lord has said, 'I give unto you a commandment that you shall continue in prayer and fasting from this time forth.'

2.  Use the 'right words'.  We use special pronouns in reference to deity.  We have been asked to protect the formal, proper language of prayer.  In our prayers we use the respectful pronouns Thee, Thou, Thy and Thine instead of You, Your and Yours.  Doing so helps us be humble.

"Prayer begins with individual initiative.  'Behold,' saith the Lord, 'I stand at the door, and knock:  if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.'  That door is opened when we pray to our Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ."