Lessons from Lehi’s Prayer

The first event recorded in the Book of Mormon is a vision which came in response to a prayer. Nephi writes:

It came to pass that my father, Lehi, as he went forth prayed unto the Lord, yea, even with all his heart, in behalf of his people.

1 Nephi 1:5

We learn three things about Lehi’s prayer in this verse:

1. It happened “as he went forth,” which likely indicates that he wasn’t at home. This phrase also implies action and optimism, a forward-looking mindset in spite of the negative things happening around him.
2. He prayed “with all his heart.” The Lord had promised through Moses, and He reiterated through Lehi’s contemporary Jeremiah, that we will find Him if we seek Him “with all [our] heart.” (See Deuteronomy 4:29, Jeremiah 29:13.) Casual and distracted prayers simply won’t work. We need to dedicate our mind and our heart fully to our prayers.
3. He prayed “in behalf of his people.” This was an unselfish prayer, not primarily focused on Lehi’s own challenges but with concern for all of the people around him.

Commenting on this passage, Elder David A. Bednar said, “Please note that the vision came in response to a prayer for others and not as a result of a request for personal edification or guidance.” Elder Bednar explained, “Praying for others with all of the energy of our souls increases our capacity to hear and to heed the voice of the Lord” (“Pray Always,” General Conference, October 2008).

Today, I will follow Lehi’s example in my prayers. I will pray with an optimistic focus on the future. I will dedicate my mind and my heart to God as I pray. And I will pray primarily on behalf of others.