The Language of Prayer

In "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn", Huck finds himself in a real dilemma. What is he to do about Jim? As he reflects on his situation, he realizes that there is no easy way out. What follows are these classic lines:

"And I about made up my mind to pray, and see if I couldn't try to quit being the kind of a boy I was and be better. So I kneeled down. But the words wouldn't come. Why wouldn't they? It warn't no use to try and hide it from Him. Nor from ME, neither. I knowed very well why they wouldn't come. It was because my heart warn't right; it was because I warn't square; it was because I was playing double. I was letting ON to give up sin, but away inside of me I was holding on to the biggest one of all. I was trying to make my mouth SAY I would do the right thing and the clean thing, and go and write to that nigger's owner and tell where he was; but deep down in me I knowed it was a lie, and He knowed it. You can't pray a lie — I found that out."

What Huck found out was that the effectiveness of his prayer was not going to be based on the language employed (thank heavens for Huck!). The essence of effective prayer is real intent. It is based on respect, reverence and faith. But real intent is the key. James 1:5 is familiar to all members of our church. But in the verse that follows we read: But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

And again, we read in Moroni 10 the promise. After reading and pondering, what is the key to unlock revelation? “…if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ..."

I look in vain to see in the formula the use of proper language in prayer. I hear about it from time to time in things I read and sermons I hear. How I wish we spoke Spanish (or even Portuguese - Gary) when it comes to prayer. As a missionary, little time was spent on the "Language of Prayer" even among the poorest of the poor in Chile. Speak to God, your Father, as you would your loving spouse or tender child.

I read a talk by Elder Bruce R. McConkie once about prayer. I remember feeling nonplused after first reading his talk. (I have a habit of reacting that way to some of his material).


But I re-read it in light of tomorrow's lesson and came away with a different feeling.
Rather and reading his "suggestions" on how to avoid vain repetitions (by using his words instead), maybe my challenge is to write some of my deepest and most reverent thoughts that can help me to penetrate the sound barrier and sin barrier, bringing me to the very alter of God, or maybe even to the bosom of my eternal daddy.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Church, used the prescribed language of prayer. I should never use the prayer to divert attention away from God. There, I speak as the voice of all present. But when in my closet, remember that one of the Savior's final pleas was "Abba". He is my daddy too.