Pray fervently.

That's what President Thomas S. Monson urged priesthood holders to do during the April 2009 General Conference.

"With God, all things are possible," said President Monson (Ensign, May 2009, p. 67-70).

No one knows that better than a priesthood leader and two young men — recently graduated from high school and seminary and preparing for missions — who embarked several years ago on a three-day field trip to historic Church sites.

The trip was also to the area where the leader had grown up many years prior so the trip was also mapped to allow him to visit his childhood town, neighborhood and ward.

Reservations were made, maps were consulted and the vehicle was inspected. A word of prayer was offered to seek the Lord's blessing for a memorable and spiritual venue of Church sites and the trio began their journey.

After three days' travel and hundreds of miles logged, the trio had walked through Rock Creek Hollow and over Rocky Ridge and visited Sixth Crossing. They had climbed Independence Rock, walked through Martin's Cove and waded in the Sweetwater River. With land owner permission, Devil's Gate was explored. The Platte River was followed and the trio walked the banks where pioneers had crossed decades earlier. They visited Fort Laramie, read pioneer names from Register Cliff and stood in wagon wheel ruts near Guernsey, Wyoming.

Photographs were taken, pioneer and historic stories shared and, the leader felt, testimonies strengthened.

Tired from a day of exploration and with their adventure drawing to conclusion, the three began their trip home. On a somewhat remote stretch of Interstate, the vehicle simply stopped. Upon investigation it was determined the fuel pump had failed and repairs were beyond what the trio could undertake.

Without hesitation, a prayer was offered. The two young men may not recall all of the historic sites visited; however, their testimony of prayer was strengthened.

Finding a tow truck in a remote area on a Saturday evening is often challenging. On the first call, the tow truck operator answered and indicated he was in a small town nearby. Within minutes the car was being towed. The priesthood leader, having moved from the area decades prior, was not familiar with repair shops but felt inspired to ask the tow truck operator for a suggestion. The vehicle was taken to the shop and left in the parking lot with a note to the shop asking for an early Monday appointment.

A call was placed to a rental car agency and, with only moments until the business was to close, a final available car was reserved, yet the car was at a small airport some miles away. The leader felt impressed to call a friend who had served as bishop in the area some years prior. The bishop wasn't home; however, his son quickly volunteered to come and take the party to the airport so they could secure a car. The trio's motel, booked for the weekend, extended their room reservation after a last-minute cancellation created an opening.

On Monday morning the leader arrived early at the repair shop. At first the owner said it would be at least a day's wait because of prior appointments and scarcity of parts. As the visitor prepared to leave the shop, a local businessman walked in. "I know you," he said. "Your dad and I are good friends. Why are you here?" he asked. The plight of the disabled vehicle was related and the businessman, simply said to the shop owner, "give him my appointment."

Moments later another well-known businessman entered the shop. It was one of the leader's childhood friends who had served as a bishop and stake president in the town. He too asked the shop owner to extend an appointment so the visiting trio could return home. That two influential businessmen known to the stranded leader would, on that particular Monday morning, visit that obscure repair shop again taught that Heavenly Father does indeed answer prayers.

The repairman lamented that a replacement part would not be easy to find; however, his first call located one. Within hours the vehicle was repaired and the trio was headed home — but only after a prayer of thanks.

Experiences of prayer and prompting are not uncommon in the Church. They are part of the revelation our Heavenly Father has provided for us, said President Boyd K. Packer, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. "Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil" (Ensign, Nov. 1994, p. 59).

The two young men, now serving missions, returned home with photographs of many historical Church sites. However, each repeatedly bore testimony concerning the power of prayer and that prayers are heard and answered. The scriptures are replete with encouragement for us to daily seek prayerful guidance in our lives. Prayerful experiences of the prophet Enos and the sons of Mosiah teach us that Heavenly Father knows each of us and knows our needs and that prayers are answered.

The prophetic words of President Monson resound with clarity: "To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer" (Ensign, May 2009, p. 67-70).