Prayer is a rather interesting concept. I have found that my spiritual well-being is directly connected to the state of my prayers. When I do my prays with nothing but a list of thinks to give thanks for a ¨shopping list¨of things and favors that I need from God. We can never forget that it is the literally communication of the Creator of the Universe with His children. The bible dictionary says that...
¨Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship.¨
When I remember my relationship with God, it draws me to prayer. It´s an opportunity to share my deepest feelings with the Person that really listens and understands. To ask forgiveness and help to overcome my weaknesses and gives me a chance to reach to the heavens and call for a divine assistance.
When I pray with faith, it gives a chance to my Father in Heaven to change the elements of my life into miracles and not just happenings. I begin to grow in my trust in my Father and take more steps in the dark but toward discipleship.
In a way I think that (part of ) the answer to the question that I made last week is the quality of our prayers. In Preach My Gospel it says that ¨effective prayer requires great effort.¨ Like it can never be a check list of things to do so that we can sleep soundly or to show a good example for somebody. It´s a time to be alone with our Creator. It should always be done with the intent to better our relationship Him.
One of my favorite scriptures about prayer is in 3 Nephi 14:7-8:
Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.
It teaches three very important concepts of prayer: asking, seeking, and knocking.
The asking part is easy, right? I would say that the majority of our prayers are full of asking. But our prayers, even in the asking should be guided by the Spirit. If your prayers lack the Spirit, change something. Before you pray, read a scripture, sing a hymn, meditate. Do something to prepare your mind and heart to speak to God. Then let the Spirit guide your prayer.
Seeking is a word full of action. It means that I just don´t want the answers, but I want guidance to be able to find them in the scriptures or the words of the living prophets. Then be willing to recognize the answer when it comes and being willing to sometimes recieve the answer ¨no.¨
Knocking, is also an action word. It means to act according to the revelation I receive. It´s something that requires faith. To go and do that which the Lord has commanded.
Hope that was something interesting. I felt like I learned something from it.
Love. Love. Love.
Hermana Cooper
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