Prayers for Peace

Trust the Savior’s promise of peace

President Eyring begins with the Savior’s promise to His Apostles that He would leave them His peace. He teaches that this same promise still comforts faithful disciples today as they face fear, uncertainty, and trouble.

“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 Savior’s promise is true and that a humble prayer for peace in your heart will be honored.”

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

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

• The Savior gave His Apostles a promise of peace before leaving them.
• That promise still applies to faithful disciples today.
• The peace Christ gives is different from what the world offers.
• The Lord can calm troubled hearts even when circumstances remain difficult.
• Prayer is a means by which we receive the Savior’s promised peace.

• When have you felt the Savior calm your heart during a difficult time?
• Have you ever prayed for peace and felt your fear lessen even before your situation changed?
• What experience has taught you that the Lord’s peace is different from worldly reassurance?
• When have the words “Let not your heart be troubled” become personally meaningful to you?

Turn to God when the world feels chaotic

President Eyring describes a world in commotion, with war, economic instability, and increasing wickedness. In response, faithful Saints are turning heavenward in more numerous and heartfelt prayers for help, comfort, direction, and peace.

“The world today seems to be in commotion.”

“There are wars and rumors of wars.”

“Faithful Latter-day Saints in hardship across the world have flooded heaven with prayers.”

“In public and in private, they are petitioning the Lord for help, for comfort, for direction, and for personal peace for those they love.”

“You may have seen in your congregations and in your homes that prayers have not only been more numerous but more heartfelt.”

• Modern conditions can create fear and uncertainty.
• Hard times often lead people to seek God more earnestly.
• Faithful Saints across the world are praying for divine help and peace.
• Prayer is an appropriate response to global and personal turmoil.
• In difficult times, prayers often become more sincere and heartfelt.

• How have world events or personal trials led you to pray more sincerely?
• What have you noticed about the prayers of your family or ward during times of hardship?
• When has a season of uncertainty helped you rely more fully on Heavenly Father?
• How have you seen prayer bring stability when life around you felt unsettled?

Remember that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know and care for us

The talk emphasizes that in pain, loneliness, confusion, and trouble, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are aware of us and desire to bless us. President Eyring uses the words of David and the Savior to affirm that those who seek the Lord are not forsaken.

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

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.”

“Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

“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.”

“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

• Jesus Christ lives and personally knows and watches over us.
• The Lord is a refuge in times of trouble.
• Those who seek the Lord are not forsaken.
• Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are aware of our pain and confusion.
• The Savior invites us to ask, seek, and knock with faith.

• When have you felt that Heavenly Father was aware of your personal circumstances?
• What experience has shown you that the Savior is a refuge in trouble?
• When have you asked, sought, or knocked and seen the Lord respond?
• How have you felt God’s care during a time of loneliness or confusion?

Pray with sincerity rather than with many words

President Eyring teaches that effective prayer does not depend on eloquence or length. What the Lord asks is that we pour out our souls sincerely, privately, and continually, with hearts drawn out to Him.

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

“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.”

“Use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do.”

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

• Prayer does not need to be long or eloquent to be powerful.
• The Lord values sincerity over polished language.
• Private prayer is an important pattern taught by the Savior.
• We should avoid vain repetitions.
• Heavenly Father already knows our needs, but He invites us to come to Him sincerely.

• When has a simple, heartfelt prayer meant more than carefully chosen words?
• What have you learned from praying privately and sincerely?
• Have you had an experience where you did not know what to say, but still felt heard by God?
• How has the Lord taught you that prayer is about the heart more than the wording?

Offer the prayers of your heart

Using the example of Alma’s people, President Eyring teaches that even when spoken prayer is not possible, the Lord hears the silent prayers of the heart. He can strengthen His people, lighten burdens, and help them endure affliction with patience and cheerfulness.

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

“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.”

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

• The Lord hears silent and nonverbal prayers.
• He knows the thoughts and feelings of our hearts.
• God may not remove affliction immediately, but He can lighten burdens.
• The Lord strengthens His people to endure hardship.
• Prayer can help us submit cheerfully and patiently to the will of the Lord.

• When have you offered a prayer only in your heart and felt that the Lord heard you?
• What experience has shown you that God can strengthen you even if He does not remove the trial right away?
• When has the Lord made a burden feel lighter?
• How have you been helped to endure something with more patience or cheerfulness than you thought possible?

Pray always and keep your heart turned to God

President Eyring teaches that we can obey the command to pray always by maintaining a continual prayer in our hearts. Even when we do not feel like praying or do not know what to say, God hears the secret prayers of the heart.

“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.”

• The Lord commands us to pray always.
• Continual prayer can be a condition of the heart, not only spoken words.
• God hears us even when prayer feels difficult.
• Love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ can keep our hearts prayerful.
• Continual prayer invites peace and abiding support.

• What helps you keep your heart turned to God throughout the day?
• When have you felt close to the Lord even without speaking a formal prayer?
• How has the Lord helped you in times when you did not know what to say in prayer?
• What daily habits help you live the principle of praying always?

Build spiritual strength through consistent prayer

President Eyring points to the sons of Mosiah as an example of disciples who became spiritually strong through much prayer and fasting. He emphasizes that strength comes from consistent prayer before moments of crisis, not only during emergencies.

“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.”

• The sons of Mosiah gained spiritual strength through much prayer and fasting.
• Consistent prayer invites revelation and spiritual power.
• We should not wait until a crisis to begin praying earnestly.
• Prayer should be part of both joyful seasons and difficult seasons.
• The Lord rewards faithful prayer in His own will and timing.

• How has regular prayer prepared you for a trial before it arrived?
• When have you seen spiritual strength grow through consistent prayer?
• What blessings have come from praying in good times, not just hard times?
• How has prayer helped you receive guidance or revelation?

Receive peace through the Holy Ghost in times of loss

President Eyring shares a personal testimony from the funeral of his wife, where the Lord answered his prayer for peace with assurance through the Holy Ghost. His experience illustrates that the Lord can grant peace, hope, and even joy in the midst of grief.

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

“I was surprised at the feeling of peace and almost joy.”

“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.”

• President Eyring personally experienced the Savior’s promised peace.
• The Holy Ghost can bring assurance in moments of deep grief.
• The Lord can give hope centered on eternal reunion.
• Peace from God can coexist with sorrow and loss.
• Personal testimony strengthens the doctrine that prayer for peace is answered.

• When have you felt peace from the Holy Ghost during grief or loss?
• How has the doctrine of eternal families brought you comfort?
• What experience has given you hope in the midst of sorrow?
• When has the Lord answered a prayer with quiet assurance rather than immediate change?