President Gordon B. Hinckley on being prayerful

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910-2008) was called to the Quorum of Twelve in 1961. He served as a counselor in the First Presidency from 1981-1995, then as Church President until his death in 2008.

"Be prayerful. Don’t be ashamed to get on your knees, morning and night, and thank the Lord for His blessings. Pray for His inspiration and direction and help in all that you undertake to do in righteousness."

- Gordon B. Hinckley, Cape Town, South Africa, 20 Feb. 1998; see "Latter-day Counsel: Excerpts from Addresses of President Gordon B. Hinckley," Ensign, October 2000, p. 73
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This reminder from President Hinckley is simple and straightforward, but very powerful:

I have always loved these words of Tennyson, that speak of the power of our petitions on behalf of one another:

 If thou shouldst never see my face again,
 Pray for my soul. More things are wrought by prayer
 Than this world dreams of. Wherefore, let thy voice
 Rise like a fountain for me night and day.
 For what are men better than sheep or goats
 That nourish a blind life within the brain,
 If, knowing God, they lift not hands of prayer
 Both for themselves and those who call them friend?

If we are sincere in our prayers, God will surely guide is with "inspiration and direction and help" in our righteous needs and desires.

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2018)