You can watch President Eyring’s talk here.

Summary:

President Eyring teaches that in a world filled with uncertainty, conflict, and personal trials, peace comes through sincere, consistent prayer to Heavenly Father. He emphasizes that prayer is not only for moments of crisis but should be continual—flowing from the heart in all circumstances.

He reassures listeners that God hears both spoken and unspoken prayers and often answers them with feelings of peace, strength, and reassurance, even if circumstances don’t immediately change. Through scriptural examples and personal experience (including the passing of his wife), he testifies that the Saviour’s promise of peace is real and accessible to all who pray with faith. 

Key quotes:

‘The world today seems to be in commotion. There are wars and rumors of wars. The economies of whole continents seem to be faltering. Prophesied wickedness seems to be accelerating as the Savior’s return draws nearer.’ (Paragraph 3)

‘In times of fear, tragedy, danger, trouble, or illness, people often turn to God in prayer. His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray, lives, knows us, watches over us, and cares for us.’ (Paragraph 6)

‘In moments of pain, loneliness, or confusion, we know that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son are aware of our circumstances and that They yearn to bless us.’ (Paragraph 9)

‘Opening the windows of heaven through fervent prayer does not require the use of many words or flowery language.’ (Paragraph 12)

‘I testify that the Lord hears and answers the prayers of our hearts.’ (Paragraph 21)

‘I know that God the Father lives. He loves us. He hears our prayers, and many times He will answer with feelings of peace.’ (Paragraph 24)

‘I testify that I know that Jesus Christ lives. He loves us and blesses us. He continues to offer us peace in our lives through sincere and fervent prayer.’ (Paragraph 27)

Questions to discuss or ponder:

What is the difference between the peace that the Lord gives and the peace that the world gives? (Paragraph 2)

What is the difference between “saying prayers” and “pouring out our soul”? (Paragraph 12)

Where is your closet? (Paragraph 14)

What are ‘vain repetitions’? (Paragraph 15)

What can we learn from the story of Alma and his brethren?  (Paragraphs 19 and 20)

How can we have a continual prayer in our hearts? (Paragraph 21)

What changes could help you pray more consistently (not just in difficulty)? (Paragraph 23)

How can we trust God’s timing when answers seem delayed? (Paragraph 23)

When have you felt peace in response to prayer? (Paragraph 25)

Invitations and applications:

‘As we pray continually, no matter the circumstances of life, the Lord will offer us His peace and abiding support.’ (Paragraph 22)

‘Brothers and sisters, I bear my testimony that the Savior’s promise is true and that a humble prayer for peace in your heart will be honored.’ (Paragraph 25)

Additional thoughts:

Peace is difficult to find in the world we live in. War and terrorism constantly take their toll somewhere in the world, and crime, anti-social behaviour, and other illegal activities affect the peace in our cities and towns. Earthquakes, storms, floods and other natural disasters disrupt peaceful lives, and economic crises leave many struggling.

Physical or emotional issues, pain, personal debt, addictions, fear, worry and sins—either our own or someone else’s—can deprive us of peace in our individual lives. 

These things are distressing and we all surely desire to have them removed. However, true peace, the inner peace of the soul, is more than freedom from these things. 

This kind of peace comes through:

Jesus Christ –  through His Atonement and through the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ

the ministration of the Holy Ghost, and 

our own righteousness.

Even when the world is in turmoil all around us, we can receive the blessing of personal inner sereity.

Peace through Jesus Christ

No matter how daunting the challenges in our lives or in the world around us, we know we can have peace through the power of the infinite Atonement because Christ overcame the world. The hope of deliverance and the expectation of a better world to come are fostered through faith in Jesus Christ and in His Atonement. Christ has the ability to cure both people and countries. His Atonement enables sins to be forgiven and sets individuals free from illnesses and addictions. His teachings contain the keys to living in peace individually and as a world. 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a haven where followers of Christ find peace. Priesthood authority in the Church provides for sacred ordinances and covenants that unite families and qualify each of us to return to God the Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom. These ordinances bring peace.

Ministration of the Holy Ghost

Inner peace is a fruit of the Spirit. Peace comes from knowing that God knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, especially in the midst of life’s most catastrophic challenges and catastrophes..

Dennis E. Simmons wrote in the May 1997 Ensign:

‘.. even if all the world is crumbling around us, the promised Comforter will provide His peace as a result of true discipleship. Ultimate total peace will come, of course, because He overcame the world. But we can have His peace with us irrespective of the troubles of the world. His peace is that peace, that serenity, that comfort spoken to our hearts and minds by the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, as we strive to follow Him and keep His commandments.’

Regardless of our external circumstances, the Holy Spirit gives believers a sense of contentment and wholeness. 

Righteousness

Even in troubled times we have a great promise of peace from the Lord: “He who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).

President Ezra Taft Benson counseled us: “The price of peace is righteousness. Men and nations may loudly proclaim, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there shall be no peace until individuals nurture in their souls those principles of personal purity, integrity, and character which foster the development of peace. Peace cannot be imposed. It must come from the lives and hearts of men. There is no other way.” (Quoted by President Thomas S Monson in First Presidency Message, March 2004).

The gift of peace doesn’t mean all our problems and challenges will dissolve according to a timeline we set. 

We can, however,  find peace in the midst of adversity. 

President Howard W. Hunter said:

          “Indifference to the Savior or failure to keep the commandments of God brings about insecurity, inner turmoil, and contention. These are the opposite of peace. Peace can come to an individual only by an unconditional surrender—surrender to him who is the Prince of Peace, who has power to confer peace. One may live in beautiful and peaceful surroundings but, because of inner dissension and discord, be in a state of constant turmoil. On the other hand, one may be in the midst of utter destruction and the bloodshed of war and yet have the serenity of unspeakable peace. If we look to man and the ways of the world, we will find turmoil and confusion. If we will but turn to God, we will find peace for the restless soul.”

Through His gospel, Jesus Christ provides us with an inner peace that is superior to the peace the world offers. If we look to Him with faith, we can feel peace in any circumstance. 

‘Just as pondering the scriptures invites the Holy Ghost, so does daily pleading in prayer. If we do not ask in prayer, He will rarely come, and without our petition He is not likely to linger. ‘ (Henry B Eyring, General Conference, October 1997).

Have you noticed any difference in the way you have approached prayer in those times when you have felt that your prayers reached heaven and those times when you felt that they didn’t get beyond the ceiling?

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