A reverent communication with God during which a person gives thanks and asks for blessings. Prayers are addressed to our Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. Prayers can be either spoken aloud or silent. A person's thoughts may also be a prayer if they are directed to God. A song of the righteous may be a prayer to God (D&C 25: 12).

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 we must ask for in order to obtain.

We pray to the Father in Christ's name (John 14: 13-14; 16: 23-24). We are truly able to pray in Christ's name when our wishes are the wishes of Christ (John 15: 7; D&C 46: 30). We then ask for things that are right and thus possible for God to grant (3 Ne. 18: 20). Some prayers remain unanswered because they in no way represent Christ's desire but spring instead out of the selfishness of man (James 4: 3; D&C 46: 9). Indeed, if we ask God for unrighteous things, it will turn to our condemnation (D&C 88: 65).

Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord, Gen. 4: 26. At the place of the altar, Abraham called on the name of the Lord, Gen. 13: 4. Abraham's servant prayed for help in finding a wife for Isaac, Gen. 24: 10-19. God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you, 1 Sam. 12: 23. The Lord heareth the prayer of the righteous, Prov. 15: 29. Ye shall find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart, Jer. 29: 12-13. Pray for them which despitefully use you, Matt. 5: 44 (Luke 6: 28; 3 Ne. 12: 44). Pray to thy Father which is in secret, Matt. 6: 5-8 (3 Ne. 13: 5-8). After this manner therefore pray ye, Matt. 6: 9-13 (Luke 11: 2; 3 Ne. 13: 9). Ask, and it shall be given you, Matt. 7: 7 (3 Ne. 14: 7; D&C 4: 7; 6: 5; 66: 9). Jesus went up into a mountain apart to pray, Matt. 14: 23. Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation, Matt. 26: 41 (Mark 14: 38; 3 Ne. 18: 15-18; D&C 31: 12). Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, James 1: 5-6 (D&C 42: 68; 46: 7). The fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, James 5: 16. Hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, 2 Ne. 32: 8-9. I cried unto him in mighty prayer, Enos 1: 4. I have fasted and prayed many days, Alma 5: 45-46 (Alma 26: 22). They had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting, Alma 17: 3. Do ye remember what Zenos said concerning prayer or worship? Alma 33: 3. Humble yourselves, and continue in prayer, Alma 34: 18-27. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, Alma 37: 37. Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name, 3 Ne. 18: 19-20. Pray in your families, 3 Ne. 18: 21. Jesus prayed unto the Father, 3 Ne. 19: 31-34 (John 17; 3 Ne. 18: 16). He commanded them that they should not cease to pray in their hearts, 3 Ne. 20: 1. If he shall pray and not with real intent of heart, it profiteth him nothing, Moro. 7: 6-9. Do not ask for that which you ought not, D&C 8: 10. Pray always, that you may come off conqueror, D&C 10: 5. I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart, D&C 19: 28. The Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith, D&C 42: 14. Go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments, D&C 59: 9 (Matt. 21: 13). Parents shall teach their children to pray, D&C 68: 28. The Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, D&C 101: 7-8 (Mosiah 21: 15). Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall give thee answer to thy prayers, D&C 112: 10. Adam was commanded to call upon God in the name of the Son, Moses 5: 8. The Father and the Son appeared to Joseph Smith in answer to his prayer, JS-H 1: 11-20.