Prayer, beautiful prayer.

Maybe it's a sign of old age, but it sure seems like the weeks fly by!  It's Sunday again! I love this day!

Today I was thinking, while I was making my bed, how beautiful and precious prayer is.  It's such a gift to us.  To think that we can pray anytime, anywhere! No appointment necessary...no putting us on hold, no buttons to push , no rig a ma roll, just simply think and feel...vocalize a prayer!  Talk to a Heavenly Father who loves us, like my Dad loves me.  How simple is that?

I think sometimes, I talk myself out of prayer because I can't understand how it could work? I mean,I get to speak to a Almighty God who governs the whole Universe about my puny little problem?  How would I dare bother Him?  Afterall, there is so much sadness in this world.....starvation and war and sin and illnesses...how could I dare approach Him with, "Please help me find my car keys?"  I almost feel embarrassed. But I've done it, and He has helped me!  May I never take this for granted or brush this off as a coincidence! He hears and answers every prayer.

I feel that God is in the details of our lives and He wants to hear from us, He wants us to pray!  ("Cry unto him" about, everything! Isn't that what the scriptures say? )  Is this not one of our greatest blessings?  OH! I'm so thankful!

Somedays, actually a lot of days, I have a prayer in my heart...all day long.  I love having Him to walk with me through my daily ups and downs. 

I used to think...I 'll bet Pres. Hinckley has a special way of praying...something extra special that he must do, after all , "He's the Prophet!"  But because I'm married to the Stake President now...and watch Steve in mighty prayer....  I don't  really think so. I think GBH kneels down, just like the rest of us, and pours out his heart to  his Heavenly Father.  I DO think that has built a relationship with  HIM over these many years, and has complete and mature faith in Him!  But I think my prayer, when sincerely and humbly offered, is as "heard" as our Prophet.   

Pres. Hinckley has said, pray with all your might and then get up from your knees and do the best you can. 

He also says:  (from WAY TO BE) "You need His help and you know that you need His help.  You cannot do it alone.  You will come to realize that and recognize it more and more as the years pass.  Live so that in good conscience you can speak with God.  Get on your knees and thank Him for His goodness to you and express to Him the righteous desires of your hearts.  The miracle of it all is that He hears.  He responds.  He answers---not always as we might wish He would answer, but there is not question or doubt in my mind that He answers!" 

I talked to Mom this morning...she just called.  She was teary.  She talked about how thankful she is for her many blessings and how much she prays for each and every member of her family.  She wants all of us to make the choices which will allow us to be a forever family!  She says sometimes she prays "just for Jack"!  Love means you pray for each other...here and beyond. 

Just a note to my kids:  I PRAY FOR YOU!  I WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY BY MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES AND LIVING THE COMMANDMENTS!  READ YOUR SCRIPTURES AND SAY YOUR PRAYERS...YOU CAN'T MAKE IT IF YOU DON'T ....AND I WANT YOU WITH ME...FOREVER!

I hope and PRAY you have a good day. 

Comments

[Lois Hilterbrand]

Barb, I can remember praying when Marcia was born that Heavenly Father would help me raise her in the gospel. I could not raise her alone without the help of the church. I wanted to raise her just like I was raised. Of course this was my prayer for all my children. And I prayed for Jack also. He does hear and answer our prayers, but He will never take away our free agency. I am so thankful for my heritage. Mom

[Sam and Jill family]

We are very thankful for prayer at this house. There are so many blessings that come from prayer and we need them. It is so neat to know that we truly can pray anytime, anywhere, whenever we feel we need to and HE will be there! WOW!

[Arlene McComas]

Thanks BB.