"Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. 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 are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings." Bible Dictionary
Prayer is our way of having a conversation with Heavenly Father. Because He loves us, He wants to hear what's on our hearts and minds. He wants to counsel us and let us know His will for us. In the definition above, prayer is called "work" and it is that, but it's the kind of work that feels good. It requires time and effort. It's so easy to let prayer be a checklist item - say a quick prayer and we're done. Like sending a few word text to a friend with a promise to call later for a longer conversation and then never making that call. Too often I do the checklist prayer and not the long conversation with lots of listening. Seems like prayer has been towards the top of my list of things I need to work on for way too long.
Joe and I have our individual prayers as well as companion prayers. It's wonderful to pray with Joe. We hear and feel what's on each other's hearts. It makes a difference in us and our day when we make time for companion prayer morning and night.
Ezra Taft Benson reminds us - “We need the sanctifying influence which comes from … prayer as a family. The differences and irritations of the day melt away as families approach the throne of heaven together. Unity increases. The ties of love and affection are re-enforced and the peace of heaven enters."
“All through my life the counsel to depend on prayer has been prized above almost any other advice I have received, ... it has become an integral part of me, an anchor, a constant source of strength, and the basis for my knowledge of things divine." Ezra Taft Benson on prayer
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