President James E. Faust bore witness of the importance of prayer Sunday morning at the 172nd Annual General Conference.

President Faust said there are no barriers, quotas or regulations in how, when or where an individual can pray.

"Each of us has problems that we cannot solve and weaknesses that we cannot conquer without reaching out through prayer to a higher source of strength," President Faust said.

"As we pray we should think of our Father in heaven as possessing all knowledge, understanding, love and compassion," he said.

President Faust defined prayer in five ways: a humble acknowledgment of God and Jesus Christ, a sincere confession of sin and transgression and a request for forgiveness, a recognition help is needed from Him, an opportunity to express thanks to the Creator and a privilege to ask for specific blessings.

President Faust said prayers vary in intensity and the blessings that come can require work, effort, diligence and sometimes fasting.

"When we fast we humble our souls," President Faust said. "Which brings us more in tune with God and His holy purposes."

President Faust recounted his experience in a violent storm in World War II when he prayed fervently.

He also said an individual should pray for one's enemies as Joseph Smith and Jesus Christ did.

Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Apr 2002