The resurrected Christ taught the Nephites the same gospel that He had taught the Jews in Jerusalem. Having delivered His message, Jesus prepared to depart. When He looked about the congregation, however, the people "did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them" (3 Nephi 17:5). Moved with compassion, Jesus stayed, healed their sick, and then taught them to pray.
And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.
--3 Nephi 17:15
Jesus, our Exemplar in all things, set the example of prayer. Though He was resurrected and exalted, He still talked to His Father in prayer.
Prayer is not a ritual. It is simply talking to God. The difference between praying and talking is the audience. We use a special word for this form of communication because we are talking to a special Being, but the essence of the act is the same. We put our thoughts into words, speak them either verbally or silently in our minds, and then we listen for a response.
Like any talent, the more we practice, the easier the process becomes.
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