How to Obtain Answers to Prayers

Jesus told us the formula for obtaining answers to our prayers:

20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you (3 Ne. 18:20).

 So, if you want an answer to prayer, run it through this checklist:

1. Have I asked the Father for it in the name of Jesus Christ? 
2. Does it seem right that I have this blessing or answer to my prayer? Do I think it is right? More importantly, does Heavenly Father deem it right? 
3. Do I faithfully believe I will receive the answer or desired blessing? 

If you can check off those three criteria, it seems that, according to Jesus Christ Himself, you will receive an answer. 

A few things to keep in mind concerning this formula:

• With regard to criteria #1, asking in the name of Christ is more than just saying the words, "I ask this thing in the name of Jesus Christ." The Bible Dictionary clarifies:

We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ—when His words abide in us (John 15:7). We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart (Bible Dictionary - Prayer).

•  With regard to #2, we should pray for blessings and answers to prayer that are right. But who is defining the concept of "right." God of course. Whatever God wants is right. Therefore, our chances for receiving and answer to prayer go way up if we ask for things we know are right, things that God Himself has already told us are right. For example, God has made it clear that He wants us to share the Gospel with others through missionary work. Well then, I know that praying for courage and strength to invite and teach others the Gospel is right! There is a blessing we know will pass this criteria. There are countless other things God has said in scripture that we know are right.
• And for #3, believing I will receive is an active thing I think, where we get off our knees and then go and do all we can to secure the desired answer or blessing, trusting that God will provide, whether in the form of strength and energy and wisdom and power to obtain the answer, or perhaps in the form of literal "manna from heaven."