Doctrine

Prayer

Prayer is scriptural communication with God through petition, thanksgiving, confession, and worship. Traditions share core practices while differing in forms, liturgy, and theological framing of intercession and authority.

LineUponLine does not pick a “winning” doctrine. These pages summarize where to read in scripture and how some traditions describe those texts—so you can compare sources yourself. This is not Ask (scripture lookup) or Research (conversational Q&A)—only static study notes.

Scripture anchors

When a reference parses to the Church's study site, the link opens scripture there in a new tab; otherwise the label stays plain text. Short notes describe what the text is doing, not a full theological conclusion. Anchor type badges (primary, supporting, contextual) are editor markers for reading order and scope only; they do not rank inspiration, truth, or authority.

Matthew 6:9–13 (opens official scripture study in a new tab)primary
Jesus gives a model prayer with core covenant themes.
James 1:5 (opens official scripture study in a new tab)primary
Invitation to ask God for wisdom in faith.
3 Nephi 18:19–21 (opens official scripture study in a new tab)supporting
Resurrected Christ teaches persistent prayer in community and family.
Philippians 4:6 (opens official scripture study in a new tab)supporting
Prayer and thanksgiving are set against anxiety and peace.
Doctrine and Covenants 19:38 (opens official scripture study in a new tab)contextual
Restoration command to pray vocally and in the heart.

How different traditions summarize the texts

Each block names a tradition or common reading, then describes it in neutral, third-person language. Summaries are representative, not exhaustive. Blocks are listed A–Z by tradition title for a stable order; that order is not a ranking of correctness.

Tradition / reading
Broader Christian / biblical teaching on Prayer
Broader Christian teaching presents prayer as central to communion with God through adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and petition, with varied personal and liturgical forms across traditions. Biblical interpretation commonly centers on Jesus' model prayer and apostolic exhortations to persistent faithful prayer.
Passages often cited in this summary: Matthew 6:9–13 (opens official scripture study in a new tab); Philippians 4:6 (opens official scripture study in a new tab); James 1:5 (opens official scripture study in a new tab)
Tradition / reading
Latter-day Saint teaching on Prayer
Latter-day Saint teaching emphasizes praying to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ, individually and in family and church settings, with faith, gratitude, and covenant intent. Exposition often combines Sermon-on-the-Mount instruction with Book of Mormon and Restoration commands to pray always.
Passages often cited in this summary: 3 Nephi 18:19–21 (opens official scripture study in a new tab); Doctrine and Covenants 19:38 (opens official scripture study in a new tab); James 1:5 (opens official scripture study in a new tab)

General Conference teachings

Talks linked here were selected during doctrine review and import. Each entry opens the talk on the Church's site.

As a Little Child
President Jeffrey R. Holland · 2025-04
Pray, He Is There
President Susan H. Porter · 2024-04
Trusting the Doctrine of Christ
Elder Evan A. Schmutz · 2023-04
Remember Your Way Back Home
Elder José A. Teixeira · 2021-04
The Joy of the Saints
Elder D. Todd Christofferson · 2019-10

Where readers often connect ideas

Notes describe common discussion threads between topics, not mandatory implications.

None recorded yet.

Argument notes

Prayer doctrine is best grounded in command passages, exemplars, and teachings on intention and faith.

Reasoning tags