Prayer

Lately, Elder Garn and I have had a real focus on three very important things. But, before I get to them, I'll just share the story from a member in our ward that lead us to really focus on these things with EVERYONE we teach!

The member was telling us that while he was on his mission (somewhere in South America), he was talking with the Bishop of the ward he was in. The Bishop explained to him, "I've been a bishop for a while. I've seen a lot of people come into my office with trials, seeking for help, and, without exception, each one of these people has been struggling with one or more of three things that has made it difficult for the Spirit to have a strong influence in their lives." He then proceeded to NOT tell us what these were because he wanted us to figure them out. Ahhhhh! It was killer. Let's just say, after some really good persuasion on our part, he finally told us. He said that the "magic cure", so to speak, is prayer, scripture study, and church attendance.

My first thought, "Well, that doesn't make sense, that's so easy!" But the next thought that immediately hit me was, "Well of course it is...my Heavenly Father WANTS me to be back with Him...why would He make it hard." He's not going to make us climb Mt. Everest, swim the English Channel, score a 36 on the ACT, and memorize all canonized scripture in order to make it back to him. No, he wants us ALL there. Or at least as many as he can possibly get back. So, He's made it simple. But the three simple things are extremely powerful.

I really just want to talk about the first one, prayer.

Prayer

Prayer is essential. What better way is there to build a relationship with our Heavenly Father than to actually enunciate our feelings, thoughts, desires, questions, concerns, struggles, and gratitude to Him? When I want to get close to someone, to really know them, be a part of there life, and love them, I don't just stand back, conceptualize what it would be like to have a friendship with them, and then move on. That would just be crazy! If I did that with my family, well, I wouldn't really know them at all! Sad. Thought.

In order to get to know our God, we must talk to Him. This is one of the first steps in recognizing Him in our lives. Through prayer, I believe we can start to discover the myriad of ways by which He shows His love to us.

First and foremost, one of my faaaavorite things to do during my own prayers, is THANK my Heavenly Father!!! He does so much for me! It's really unbelievable. He's blessed me with two amazing parents, two brothers who are definitely my best friends, the opportunity to serve a mission, a healthy body, and even my attitude of gratitude! The list could go on, but I think you get it. And we are ALL blessed; many times, we just don't recognize it.

So, praying with the intent to show gratitude can actually help us think back on our day and see Heavenly Father's glorious hand in our lives. One thing I like to do is keep a little journal next to my bed, and every night, right before I pray, I write down all the blessings I saw in my life that day. It's an way for me to see that God's watching out for me and has helped me realize that Heavenly Father cares about every part of our lives. Not just the big things like my mission, my family's safety, and helping me resist any temptations, but also little things like being able to memorize people's names, enjoying the weather and relaxing during a game of golf, or being able to have a good nights rest. He is watching over all of us always!

Prayer is also a commandment! Did you know that? In 2 Nephi 32:9 it says,

     But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul.

We learn a few important things here:

1. We need to pray
2. We pray to Heavenly Father in Christ's name
3. We should pray before all things we do in life!

Not only can praying help us come to the realization that we are blessed and loved, but, through prayer we can also ask for help. As stated in number three above and in the quote, we should pray before all things that we do! But...why?? Well, here's a big reason. Heavenly Father LOVES us and WANTS to help us!! In the Bible Dictionary it says, "The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them." My thinking is, "why not have the most knowledgeable, wise, powerful, loving being in the universe help me with whatever it is I'm doing?"

Let's think of it this way. You are in a math test (life on earth) and Albert Einstein (Heavenly Father) is standing next to you ready to give you any help you ask for. Would you ask?? I sure would! Heavenly Father Wants to help us in this test of life. Why not ask for His help?

Lastly, prayer can help us get answers! "...ask, and ye shall receive..." (3 Nephi 27:29), "And whatsoever thing ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given you." (3 Nephi 18:20). That one is kinda straight forward, I'd say. He WILL answer. We just have to have the faith and right intent so as to recognize those answers.

There's a lot of info here. A lot that all of you probably already know and understand. And that's really all it is, just a bunch of information, unless we use it. I pray. I pray many many times each and EVERY day! And when I mean the things that I say; when I show my true gratitude and sincerely ask for help from my Heavenly Father, I can feel the wonderful peace and comfort that come with His unconditional love.