"The trouble with most of our prayers is that we give them as if we were picking up the telephone and ordering groceries - we place our order and hang up. We need to meditate, contemplate, think of what we are praying about and for and then speak to the Lord as one man speaketh to another." - Gordon B. Hinckley
I don't think this definition matches me, but it certainly gave me a desire to study more about this wonderful gift of prayer to improve communication with my Heavenly Father. I do have a testimony in the power or prayer. I have learned so much in these last years of my life where I have also found myself. There has always been one quote I have loved:
"God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But he can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe." -Jeffery R. Holland
Two things have struck me about this quote. The first is "God anxiously waiting for the chance to answer our prayers," I used to have a hard time with this. There are people in this world who are praying for relief from disease, oppression, famine, and many other terrible things. Why would God want to take his precious time to hear from me? I realized this one day while in the car with my wonderful mother. If you know my mom you know what a wonderful kind heart she has. She has always had the ability to make me feel like the most wonderful person in the world. Part of this is because how much she asks me about my life, wants to hear all the details, and truly listens. When we were in the car that day I was telling her some story where I can't even remember what it was about and when I finished she told me I just had to call her after and let her know what ended up happening! I remember specifically that it was really not a big deal at all, I wish I could remember exactly what it was, but in the grand scheme of things it was nothing big I know that. And that's when it hit me. I am so grateful to know that I am a daughter of God because that means that He is my Father. I have learned of His love partially through the love of my mother. My mom and I have a special relationship. Throughout my life she truly has remained my best friend. Even as a teenager we rarely fought. I have always felt her love for me so strong and her interest in my life. If my earthly mother can love me that much and desires to hear about my life how much more must my Father in Heaven!
We learn in the Teachings of Joseph F. Smith "..Our Father in Heaven is far more interested in a soul - one of his children - than it is possible for an earthly father to be in one of his children. His love for us is greater than can be the love of an earthly parent for his offspring."
Things that are a big deal to me are to my mom and she wants to hear about them. As with my Heavenly Father they may not be a big deal in the grand scheme of things [and of course He knows that better than anyone] but they are a big deal to Him because they are a big deal to me. I can truly testify of that and how special it makes me feel knowing it. So if you ever worry that what you're telling your Heavenly Father is silly [or perhaps I am the only one who struggled with this] know it is most definitely important to him!
And because our Heavenly Father loves us so very much he desires we pray to him often. A gift He gives to us that I think we often overlook is the 24/7 opportunity of Him being there for us. Lloyd D. Newell puts it beautifully: "Yes, we live in a world that offers the technology to quickly communicate information as never before, but the most important line of communication is still between ourselves and God. And, because of His love for us, He promises that line will never be busy."
This is a gift I am eternally grateful for. I know there are times all throughout the day even the middle of the night where I have needed to be comforted and know that I am not alone and am so glad that I could pray to my Father in Heaven no matter the time or place.
The second part I love about the quote from Elder Holland is the word dream. Our Heavenly Father wants to fulfill our dreams. I firmly believe that there is a plan for all of us but within that, Heavenly Father wants us to have goals, aspirations and dreams. Of course He wants these dreams to be worthy ones and I believe if they are, and if they are good for you, He will help you make them come true. I know that my Heavenly Father wants to hear about my dreams and aspirations and wants to tell me if they are right for me.
So back to my original point, how can I improve my prayers? I hear in church all the time how people have improved their relationship with Heavenly Father through prayer. This is my goal! How can I do this?
From April 2007 General Conference Elder Scott reminds us: "A key to improved prayer is to learn to ask the right questions. Consider changing from asking for the things you want to honestly seeking what He wants for you. Then as you learn His will, pray that you will be led to have the strength to fulfill it." I really like this idea. And taking the time while praying to hear answers. I haven't done this well in the past. I am quick to pray because usually I am so busy during the day that I am tired and ready for bed! But from everything I have read I have learned the importance of taking time in prayer to listening for feelings in return.
Preach my gospel has several wonderful ideas to consider when you pray and I will share a few:
1. Always express gratitude for your blessings. A conscious effort to be grateful will help you recognize how merciful the Lord has been in your life.
2. Pray specifically for the guidance and help of the Holy Ghost. Show that you value this blessing by being sensitive to and aware of spiritual promptings. Then courageously follow those promptings.
3. Pray with love and charity. Pray for people by name [I love this, by name] Ask for inspiration to help you understand and meet their needs. Pray to know how to help others and then be willing to sacrifice on their behalf.
4. Recognize that your Heavenly Father knows what you need better than you do [I think one of my favorite country songs is "unanswered prayers" I am so grateful that Heavenly Father knows best]. Rely on the spirit to know what to pray for.
**I really like this one -> 5. In your prayers at night, give the Lord an account of your day's activities. Then review with Him your plan for the next day. Listen for the promptings of the spirit.
Lastly, and probably most importantly, 6. Believe that God will answer your prayers. Recognize that God's thoughts are not your thoughts and trust God to answer your prayers in His own way and in His own time.
Sometimes this last one can be hard but I think it is important to take a little perspective. When you think that Heavenly Father is not answering your prayers the way you would like think about that past. It has always worked out hasn't it? When something you really wanted came along and you didn't get it I know it is because something better is coming right along the way. Elder Bednar gives a great quote as well: "Pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed."
I feel like I could go on and on about prayer and I think I may study it even more this week [this post is already getting long!]. It is such a wonderful gift from our Heavenly Father how can we not use it? I am so grateful for my husband who is a wonderful example of true humble prayer for me to see each day. I look forward to applying these new ideas into my morning and evening daily prayers and I hope you will too!
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| Have to add a picture of one boy's faith and prayers that changed the world. |
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