THE FOUR STEPS OF PRAYER
Victor F. Flagg
In traditions across the globe and across time, prayer plays a crucial role in the history of the human family. [1] My own experience certainly affirms there are different ways to engage in prayer. These include silent unspoken pondering and reflections, gratitude felt whether expressed or unexpressed, anguished cries for help when facing adversity, singing of sacred lyrics, reverence in viewing a scene of natural beauty and a variety of other means of recognizing a higher power.
Despite this inclusive understanding, I believe and have supporting experience that a defined and inspired way of approaching deity in prayer, is effective for fully engaging our relationship with God. In LDS theology and practice this is often described as the four steps of prayer. These four steps may be silent or vocal as circumstances and preferences suggest. As originally taught to me by the missionaries the four steps of prayer are as follows :
1/ Address God in a respectful and reverent way, such as Heavenly Father, Dear God, or Oh, God our Eternal Father. I sometimes address God as Heavenly Father and add descriptive terms such as infinite, eternal, loving, merciful, kind, all wise, just etc.
2/ Express gratitude and thankfulness for blessings received. This can include an expansive list of blessings such as freedom, employment, food, clothing and shelter, friends, a testimony, health, medical services, law and order, eyesight, (and many other physical functions), the beauties of God’s creation, family, companionship and on and on it goes. Items of gratitude and thankfulness are an endless list.
3/ Ask for blessings, help, inspiration etc that we are in need of. This, again, can include an endless list and there is nothing we cannot speak to our Father in Heaven about, using respectful and reverent language. We may ask for understanding we lack, for someone’s heart to be softened, for physical strength or emotional resilience, for inspiration and even revelation, for patience, for spiritual gifts, for strength to follow through with action, and…the list is endless.
4/ Close in the Name of Jesus Christ. Invoking the name of Jesus Christ in closing our prayer signifies our willingness to abide His timing, will and means in answering our prayer. It also signifies our commitment to follow through with action in keeping the commandments of God in fulfilling our part in bringing about the desired blessing and/or outcome.[2] Most importantly, the use of the Name of Jesus Christ, in closing our prayer, signifies a degree of faith that our prayer is ‘authorized’ by God. Jesus is in fact the divine Son of God and redeemer of the human family and we are invoking his name deliberately with that authorization in mind. The usage of His name with even the smallest seed of faith reflects the Savior’s own teaching.[3] This does not suggest God does not hear sincere prayers uttered or felt in other formats. It does, however, fulfill divine mandate concerning prayer[4] and as such it energizes, elevates and makes more real and effective our relationship with God.
It is instructive that the simple daily act of praying over our food and meals can and should include each of these four steps. From that simple and frequent daily act stretching to the most lengthy drawn out and repeated prayers (which may include fasting) illustrates the spectrum of experience prayer can provide us in our journey through life. I will add that inserting a brief and silent pause after or during any of the steps allows the spirit to insert into our thoughts and feelings an awareness of just who it is we are addressing. Inserting moments of reverent silence can enhance our prayers.
In the April 2026 general conference President Henry D. Eyring taught us about prayer in these timely and inspiring words :
“The world today seems to be in commotion. There are wars and rumors of wars. The economies of whole continents seem to be faltering. Prophesied wickedness seems to be accelerating as the Savior’s return draws nearer.
Yet despite turmoil and difficulty, 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.
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….In moments of pain, loneliness, or confusion, we know that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son are aware of our circumstances…As we pray continually, no matter the circumstances of life, the Lord will offer us His peace and abiding support….[5]
It is my belief, conviction and experience that following the four steps of prayer can and will result in blessings, guidance and relief that are available in no other way.[6]
——————————-
[1] “The act of prayer is attested in written sources as early as five thousand years ago. Today, most major religions involve prayer in one way or another; some ritualize the act, requiring a strict sequence of actions or placing a restriction on who is permitted to pray, while others teach that prayer may be practiced spontaneously by anyone at any time….Various spiritual traditions offer a wide variety of devotional acts. There are morning and evening prayers, grace said over meals, and reverent physical gestures. Some Christians bow their heads and fold their hands. Some Native Americans regard dancing as a form of prayer. Hindus chant mantras. Jewish prayer may involve swaying back and forth and bowing. Muslim prayer involves bowing, kneeling, and prostration, while some Sufis whirl.” (Wikipedia)
[2] In recent years, I have noticed that some church sources list ‘taking action’ as the final step to our prayers. In any case, invoking the name of our Savior (in my view) signifies our determination to do all in our power (even if that means wait and be patient!) to abide the will of our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ.
[3] In Matthew 17:20 the Lord said that “if [we] have faith as a grain of a mustard seed . . . nothing shall be impossible unto [us].” See here for an inspiring account of such faith – https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2023/06/car-eng-local-pages/local-news-001?lang=eng
[4] John 14:13, Colossians 3:17, 3 Nephi 18:19, Mosiah 3:17, Moses 1:21, Enos 1:15, Mormon 9:21,
[5] https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2026/04/19eyring?lang=eng
[6] My own experience of the holy and hallowed principle of prayer is covered in greater detail in my essay titled How God Answers Prayer.