Teach your children to be more specific in their prayers. One shouldn't fault the adult or child who prays universally for "all the sick and afflicted." But the universal appeals should not be allowed to crowd out concern for the one. A prayer in behalf of "all truth seekers" or "the honest in heart" is certainly a boon to our missionary effort. Such will be heard and answered according to the will of the Lord. However, a petition in behalf of a Brother and Sister J. Brown who are being taught the gospel by elders Jones and Anderson personalizes the prayer and seems to focus the faith of the person or persons involved.

I have the feeling that Alma, the father, prayed specifically for his wayward son, not just for sinners everywhere. These are the words of the angel who confronted Alma the younger: "The Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith" (Mosiah 27:14).


Carlos E. Asay, Family Pecan Trees: Planting a Legacy of Faith at Home [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1992], 17.)