3. We pray to give thanks and to request temporal and spiritual blessings.

We pray to give thanks for our blessings. Through modern revelation we learn that we "must give thanks unto God in the Spirit for whatsoever blessing [we] are blessed with" (D&C 46:32).

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, "Temporal and spiritual blessings follow proper prayer. As all the revelations show, the portals of heaven swing wide open to those who pray in faith; the Lord rains down righteousness upon them; they are preserved in perilous circumstances; the earth yields her fruits to them; and the joys of the gospel dwell in their hearts."3

Alma prayed for the people of Gideon, stating, "And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess, your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever" (Alma 7:27).

The Bible Dictionary offers this statement about prayer's purpose: "The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them."4

Is it possible that the Lord has blessings in store for us that He is waiting for us to request? Those who make prayer a constant part of their lives will testify that the portals of heaven swing wide open to them.