In Behalf of His People

As I try to glean every bit of wisdom I can from the Book of Mormon, I am struck by verse 5 in 1 Nephi chapter 1. "Wherefore 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." Two things impress me about the verse- first that Lehi prayed with all his heart. It makes me reflect on my prayers and it motivates me to the pray with more intensity like Lehi. But secondly, I notice that Lehi prays, not for himself, but for his people.

It reminds me too how Alma prayed so hard for his rebellious son that an angel appeared to Alma the younger and told he was there in answer to the prayer of his father. So praying for others apparently works.

The lesson I take from this is the importance and effectiveness of prayer for others- from the prophet praying for the church, to a bishop praying for his ward, to a Mia Maid teacher praying for her girls, to a home teacher praying for the families he visits, to a parent praying for their child. Whatever our calling may be, the message from the Book of Mormon for us is to pray for others, with all our hearts. And those prayers will be heard.