Prayer Is a Privilege
"Prayer is a privilege and the soul's sincere desire. We can move beyond routine and 'checklist' prayers and engage in meaningful prayer as we appropriately ask in faith and act, as we patiently persevere through the trial of our faith, and as we humbly acknowledge and accept 'not my will, but Thine, be done.'
"I witness the reality and divinity of our Eternal Father, of His Only Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost. I testify that our Father hears and answers our prayers. May each of us strive with greater resolve to ask in faith and thereby make our prayers truly meaningful." --David A. Bednar
My prayers have been longer and more meaningful lately as I find myself praying for so many friends and family (and myself) who are struggling with big issues. It seems like there is so much hard stuff going on with everyone and the remedy is often beyond us. I know our prayers are answered, and I really wish we could all feel the weight of the prayers being said on our behalf because I'm sure it would give us the courage to try harder.
**Thoughts??**
15 comments:
A prayer could last an hour sometimes when you think about all the people you love and all the blessings you would love them to have. And then you think of all the individual things to be thankful for... which is so important too. Especially when times are tough and we may need to look harder for the blessings we have in all the trials that come to us and our loved ones.
Good thoughts for today Jill- thanks! :)
i have to share part of the entry for prayer in the Bible Dictionary...
"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God...then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part...Man of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship..."
"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..."
"We pray in Christ's name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wished the wishes of Christ -- when His words abide in us...We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ's name at all; they in no way represent His mind, but spring out of the selfishness of man's heart."
All day I have been trying to form a post about my inward struggle with greatness (like Tom's) and your post relates to my thoughts. Hopefully I can find the words for my post to share more.
I have felt lately that some challenges I have are insurmountable, and I think the spirit has been telling me that it has to be this way or I would not be so inclined to humble myself and draw close to the Lord. It has me realizing how often I don't turn to the Lord for help, how much help is available through prayer and fasting, and how much better we can become after trials because they require us to humble ourselves and grow.
My favorite part of this is "Prayer is a privilege and the soul's sincere desire." It's true and I'm always so glad when I am in that mindset.
My prayers can get pretty long, too!
p.s. Rebekah's quote from the BD has me reeling...
I love your thought about all the prayers being said on our behalf. It really is a powerful thought, and makes me want to have more faith and try harder to receive blessings that are probably within reach.
I know this is probably my first time commenting on your Sunday thoughts posts, but you should know I've always admired you for doing them and thought I should probably be copying you. It's so nice to read something spiritual and uplifting in the blogosphere.
Prayer-
We had a talk in Sacrament meeting about prayer today. HOw important it is to include everyday matters in our prayers. If we are to pray over our fields & flocks, but we are not farmers- then shouldn't we be praying over our employment or lack there of & other temporal matters? Of Course!
I have been praying for friends also, & there is so much to pray for... gratitude for blessing/not such blessings... I find myself often falling asleep when I pray at night before bed- my favorite time to pray is while walking the dogs or alone in the morning- I feel so much more like communing with Him & awake & aware. Is that wrong?
My prayers have been longer and more meaningful lately as well...I've never been one for saying lengthy ones, but, like you, have found that so many people around me are struggling with big issues--I've found myself being extra heartfelt in my prayers...
I do feel like we feel the weight of prayers in our behalf. Maybe I have been more aware lately but I have heard several people/speakers say that they could literally feel the strength coming from prayers being offered in their behalf.
Sometimes when I know I am doing better than I "should be" I wonder if I am being buoyed by the prayers of others.
I think prayer is an addiction... the more I pray... the more I pray... sometimes I wonder if Heavenly Father wants to shush me for a minute... you know like we do when our kids can't stop talking....
I like your quote and the last sentence you wrote. That's a lovely thought, and so true.
I am laughing at Amie's comment...she is too funny.
thank you for this...I needed to hear it. This is something I really need to work on. Prayer is my favorite thing and I can't imagine what people do who don't believe in prayer (or a Heavenly Father)do without prayer in their life....but, I have found myself lately in a "routine" of just reciting the same prayers again and again. I can feel the difference and I need to change it. Thank you.....I really needed this.
What a wonderful way to end my day! It's been a hectic weekend and while I am dead tired, I needed to try to catch up on some blogging!
I cannot express how much I love the power of prayer. My staff simply cannot relate to my dependency on it, which I share often with them! Long ago, when I was a Young Women's Pres. I recall teaching the concept to "turn first to prayer". How often we try to solve our challenges, everyday or monumental, on our own. I try daily to committ myself in my morning prayers to be prompted to turn first to prayer throughout the day. I love the power of prayer and the comfort of knowing this. My faith in this power is growing stronger during these challenging times.
I have seen my prayers answered so directly in the last few weeks and I feel a debt of gratitude for this. Thanks for sharing your touching thoughts.I am always inspired by your Sunday Thoughts. Press on, please!
such great thoughts. i have been more grateful for prayer lately than i have ever been before- and yet, also a bit more questioning of why they can't all be answered immediately. :)
i have definitely felt the prayers said on my behalf- often to the point of guilt sometimes where i feel like "gosh, why can't i get it together when there are so many people praying for that." but i'm grateful for those prayers- because without them, who knows where i'd be!
oh missy, being one of the wonderful recipients on your list...I can honestly tell you that I feel embarrassed kind of to have friends and family ask for me...silly...is this prideful? I just never never tought that I would be in so much need of comfort--and not feel it. Thank you missy...I have a few updates to share with you, I will as soon as I clear up some time.
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