After Jesus first ministered to the people in 3 Nephi (11-26), His disciples journeyed to preach His word throughout the land. 3 Nephi 27:1 records that while journeying and preaching, “the disciples were gathered together and were united in mighty prayer and fasting.”
Then
Jesus again showed himself unto them, for they were praying unto the Father in his name; and Jesus came and stood in the midst of them, and said unto them: What will ye that I shall give unto you?
Mighty prayer and fasting opened the heavens for them!
Enos cried unto the Lord in mighty prayer and received a remission of his sins and covenanted answers to his prayer requests.
After Martin Harris repented and called on the Lord in mighty prayer, Moroni appeared to show Martin the golden plates. Martin never denied that witness.
Nephi wrote that
by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.
And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
After Alma reclaimed the church in Zarahemla,
the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God.
I’ve thought about that so often. When I attend church, am I joining in fasting and mighty prayer for others?
What does mighty prayer even look like?
I’ve thought more about this concept of mighty prayer since President Nelson admonished the study of Doctrine and Covenants 109 as a tutorial for the last days. Doctrine and Covenants 109 is in and of itself a mighty prayer! President Nelson promised that the following would be gained by following this tutorial.
They can expect to receive answers to prayer, personal revelation, greater faith, strength, comfort, increased knowledge, and increased power. . . . We are also promised that in the temple we may “receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost.” Imagine what that promise means in terms of having the heavens open for each earnest seeker of eternal truth. We are instructed that all who worship in the temple will have the power of God and angels having “charge over them.” . . . Finally, we are promised that “no combination of wickedness” will prevail over those who worship in the house of the Lord.
Wanting to access these promised blessings, I’ve begun using President Nelson’s language in my prayers. I’ve also searched the scriptures for other examples of how to pray this way.
One of Alma’s Mighty Prayers
Some friends and I discussed Alma’s astonishment at hearing the Zoramites’ prayer on the Ramuempton, saying, essentially, “Thank you for making us smarter, better, and holier than everyone else.” We talked about how we see similar vanity in the world around us, and even ourselves sometimes. Alma’s response to the Zoramites’ style of worship is one of my examples of this type of prayer.
He acknowledged the problem and identified a need—specifically for those who “knew not God.” He prayed for himself and his fellow laborers, consecrating their efforts to the Lord and also calling down divine power and help in their efforts. The Lord blessed them as Alma asked because he prayed with great faith.
Alma 31:30-38
30 O Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer that such wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people? O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul.
31O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people.
32 O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me—yea, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, and also my two sons—yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou comfort their souls in Christ.
33 Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come upon them because of the iniquities of this people.
34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee.
36 Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words, that he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him. And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
37 And after that they did separate themselves one from another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or what they should drink, or what they should put on.
38 And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.
Because of Alma’s example, I learned to acknowledge a problem and identify what I need—specifically for those who “know not God.” I can pray for myself (and my fellow laborers,) consecrating my efforts to the Lord and also calling down divine power and help. The Lord blesses me as I pray in faith, guided by His Spirit. And I know I can increase my confidence in calling on His name as I study and follow the examples of others who do, too, and then Act!
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