Prayers for Peace

Trust the Savior’s promise of peace

President Eyring begins with the Savior’s words to His Apostles at the Last Supper, emphasizing that Christ’s promise of peace still comforts faithful disciples today. In a troubled world marked by war, instability, and increasing wickedness, the Savior offers a kind of peace that is deeper and more enduring than anything the world can provide. This peace comes through Him and steadies hearts that might otherwise be troubled or afraid.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

The world today seems to be in commotion.

Yet despite turmoil and difficulty, faithful Latter-day Saints in hardship across the world have flooded heaven with prayers.

He continues to offer us peace in our lives through sincere and fervent prayer.

• What did the Savior promise His disciples at the Last Supper?
• How does the peace Christ gives differ from the peace the world offers?
• What conditions in the world did President Eyring mention that make the Savior’s promise especially meaningful?
• According to the talk, what should disciples do when their hearts are troubled or afraid?
• When have I especially needed the Savior’s peace in my life?
• What worldly sources of comfort do I sometimes rely on instead of turning to Christ?
• How can I more deliberately remember the Savior’s promise when I feel anxious or unsettled?
• What would it look like for me to trust Christ’s peace more fully this week?

Turn to Heavenly Father in fervent prayer

President Eyring teaches that in times of fear, tragedy, danger, trouble, or illness, people naturally turn to God. He reminds listeners that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are aware of our circumstances and desire to bless us. Prayer is a divinely appointed way to seek help, comfort, direction, and peace. The Lord invites His children to ask, seek, and knock with faith, trusting that He hears and responds.

Turning to Heavenly Father in fervent prayer when the world seems chaotic is as old as mankind.

In times of fear, tragedy, danger, trouble, or illness, people often turn to God in prayer.

His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, lives, knows us, watches over us, and cares for us.

“And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”

In moments of pain, loneliness, or confusion, we know that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son are aware of our circumstances and that They yearn to bless us.

• What reasons does President Eyring give for turning to God in prayer?
• What do the words ask, seek, and knock teach about how we should approach prayer?
• How does knowing that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are aware of us affect the way we pray?
• What does President Eyring teach about the Savior’s role in our prayers?
• What current fears, burdens, or uncertainties do I need to take more fully to Heavenly Father?
• How can I show greater faith as I ask, seek, and knock?
• When have I felt that the Lord knew me and cared for me in a difficult moment?
• What specific blessing or guidance should I begin praying for more earnestly?

Pour out your soul rather than use many words

The talk teaches that powerful prayer does not depend on eloquent language or long speeches. What Heavenly Father requires is sincerity, humility, and a heart drawn out to Him. President Eyring cites the Savior’s teaching that prayer should be offered privately and without vain repetition. The Lord already knows our needs, and He values the honest outpouring of the soul more than impressive wording.

Opening the windows of heaven through fervent prayer does not require the use of many words or flowery language.

Rather, the diligence in prayer which Heavenly Father requires of us is to “pour out [our] souls” in private places and have our hearts “drawn out in prayer unto him continually.”

“When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret.”

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do.”

“Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.”

• What does President Eyring say is not required for effective prayer?
• What does it mean to pour out one’s soul to God?
• Why does the Savior warn against vain repetitions in prayer?
• What does it mean for the heart to be drawn out in prayer continually?
• Do my prayers sometimes become routine or overly formal? If so, how can I make them more sincere?
• What helps me speak honestly with Heavenly Father?
• How can I create more private, reverent moments for prayer?
• What would change if I focused less on wording and more on the feelings of my heart?

Offer silent prayers from the heart

President Eyring highlights the example of Alma’s people, who could not pray aloud but still poured out their hearts to God. The Lord knew the thoughts of their hearts and answered by strengthening them in their afflictions. This teaches that prayer can be offered silently and inwardly, and that God hears even unspoken petitions. The Lord may not always remove burdens immediately, but He can lighten them and give strength to endure them cheerfully and patiently.

The Lord has also provided us touching evidence of the power of nonverbal prayers offered within our hearts.

“And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts.”

“Lift up your heads and be of good comfort.”

“I … will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders.”

“The Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.”

I testify that the Lord hears and answers the prayers of our hearts, just as He did for Alma and his people.

• What happened when Alma’s people could not pray aloud?
• What does this account teach about God’s awareness of our inner thoughts and feelings?
• How did the Lord answer the prayers of Alma’s people?
• What is the difference between having burdens removed and being strengthened to bear them?
• When have I offered a silent prayer in my heart?
• What burdens do I need the Lord to lighten or help me carry?
• How have I seen the Lord strengthen me even when my circumstances did not immediately change?
• How can I remember to pray inwardly throughout the day?

Pray always and make prayer continual

A major teaching of the talk is that prayer should not be reserved only for emergencies. President Eyring testifies that disciples can obey the command to pray always by maintaining a continual prayer in the heart. Even when someone does not feel like praying or does not know what to say, God hears the secret prayers of the heart. As love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ becomes constant, prayer can become an ongoing spiritual posture rather than an occasional act.

We can follow His commandment to “pray always” by having a continual prayer in our hearts.

You may not feel like praying or you may not know what to say, but God hears the secret prayers of your heart.

The feelings of your heart and the love for our Heavenly Father and for His Beloved Son can be so constant that your prayers will ascend always.

As we pray continually, no matter the circumstances of life, the Lord will offer us His peace and abiding support.

• What does President Eyring teach about the commandment to pray always?
• How can someone pray even when they do not know what to say?
• What role do love and constant devotion play in continual prayer?
• What blessings does President Eyring associate with praying continually?
• What habits could help me remember the Lord more consistently throughout the day?
• When do I tend to stop praying or become less consistent in prayer?
• How can I turn brief moments during the day into silent prayers?
• What would a more continual relationship with Heavenly Father look like in my daily life?

Build spiritual strength through consistent prayer before crisis comes

President Eyring points to the sons of Mosiah as an example of disciples who became spiritually strong through much prayer and fasting. Their power in preaching and their access to prophecy and revelation came because they had already developed a pattern of continued prayer. He emphasizes that spiritual strength comes from praying consistently in both joyful and difficult times, not merely waiting until a crisis forces us to seek divine help. The Lord rewards such faithfulness according to His will and timing.

I am reminded of the example of the sons of Mosiah, who had success in preaching the gospel and were made spiritually strong because they prayed constantly.

“They had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation.”

It is significant that their spiritual strength came from continued prayer rather than waiting to pray until a moment of crisis when they desperately needed divine help.

Consistent prayer during joyous times and also during seasons of distress and grief will surely be rewarded according to His will and perfect timing.

• What blessings came to the sons of Mosiah because of much prayer and fasting?
• Why is it important to pray before a crisis arises?
• What does this example teach about the relationship between prayer and revelation?
• How does President Eyring describe the timing of the Lord’s answers?
• How consistent is my prayer life when things are going well?
• What spiritual preparation do I need now for future challenges?
• How has regular prayer strengthened me in ways I did not immediately recognize?
• What change can I make so that prayer becomes a steady source of spiritual strength in my life?

Recognize the Holy Ghost as an answer of peace

President Eyring bears personal testimony that God hears prayers and often answers with feelings of peace. He shares the sacred experience of feeling peace and almost joy at the funeral of his wife, an answer that came through the Holy Ghost and gave him assurance of a future reunion. This witness illustrates that the Lord’s promised peace is real, personal, and often communicated by the Spirit in moments of grief and loss.

I know that God the Father lives. He loves us. He hears our prayers, and many times He will answer with feelings of peace.

“And now, may the peace of God rest upon you.”

I bear my testimony that the Savior’s promise is true and that a humble prayer for peace in your heart will be honored.

I felt it at the funeral of my wife of 61 years.

It was because the Lord had answered my prayer for peace with an assurance from the Holy Ghost, which allowed me to envision the happy reunion ahead with her.

The Lord gave me the peace and hope that He had promised His disciples.

• How does President Eyring say God often answers prayer?
• What role did the Holy Ghost play in President Eyring’s experience at his wife’s funeral?
• What does his experience teach about the reality of the Savior’s promise of peace?
• How can peace and hope come even in times of grief?
• When have I felt peace from the Holy Ghost in answer to prayer?
• How can I better recognize spiritual feelings as answers from God?
• What sorrow or concern in my life needs a humble prayer for peace?
• How has the Lord given me hope about the future through the Spirit?