Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Power of Prayer
Prayer changes things. It changes us. It brings us closer to God and makes us more like Him. Human creatures become more like Deity. That is the power of prayer.
Things I want to mention about prayer
BD- When we understand our relationship to God, praying becomes natural. We are talking to our Father.
Prayer is a way to access blessings He is ready to give us, but that are conditional on us asking.
Showing gratitude- mention Elder Bednar's talk and share story about miscarriage
Thy will be done- willing to accept what is happening because it is the will of the Lord, but then "being in an agony he prayed more earnestly" pray for strength to accept it!
Connecting morning, day, and evening prayers. Start out your day with heartfelt, meaningful, sincere prayer. Talk to Heavenly Father. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings. Then notice when you are being helped. And pray in gratitude.
When I look back to when I was most spiritual (reference to Brother Stoddard's talk) I was praying a lot. And it was during a very hard time, usually. So during a happier time when you don't have as heavy of trials, perfect time to be Praying for others- power in prayer. Pray to notice others and then do it. Elder Bednar mentioned this too, Pray in Faith and then Act!
I absolutely believe that prayer has the power to help us in every way, obviously spiritually, but mentally, physically, and emotionally as well! I can think of times being prompted to respond to Grant or Tyson in a certain way.
"The Lord always suits the relief to the person in need to best strengthen and purify him or her." This really stood out to me in a RS lesson. It's a quote from President Eyring's talk on adversity in April 2009 conference. It answered millions of prayers from our first year of marriage. Tyson was suffering from depression and it was hard as newlyweds! I remember praying, begging for someone to call, drop by, ask how we were so I could unload on them what we were suffering. LOTS of tears were shed. I can think of so many many dark times, spent on my knees praying for help. Looking back, I see that my prayers were answered. No one came by, no one called. So that means we turned to each other. We helped each other through that trial and our marriage was strengthened. It has made me much more aware and compassionate to those suffering with mental illnesses. And it helped us learn to talk things over, to communicate, not to manipulate each other, to lean on one another and to depend on the Lord and have faith in Him. I don't know if those things would have been possible had my prayers been answered another way! There is power in prayer, and sometimes we don't see it until after. Wow, this is eye-opening.
Prayer is a way to access blessings He is ready to give us, but that are conditional on us asking.
Showing gratitude- mention Elder Bednar's talk and share story about miscarriage
Thy will be done- willing to accept what is happening because it is the will of the Lord, but then "being in an agony he prayed more earnestly" pray for strength to accept it!
Connecting morning, day, and evening prayers. Start out your day with heartfelt, meaningful, sincere prayer. Talk to Heavenly Father. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings. Then notice when you are being helped. And pray in gratitude.
When I look back to when I was most spiritual (reference to Brother Stoddard's talk) I was praying a lot. And it was during a very hard time, usually. So during a happier time when you don't have as heavy of trials, perfect time to be Praying for others- power in prayer. Pray to notice others and then do it. Elder Bednar mentioned this too, Pray in Faith and then Act!
I absolutely believe that prayer has the power to help us in every way, obviously spiritually, but mentally, physically, and emotionally as well! I can think of times being prompted to respond to Grant or Tyson in a certain way.
"The Lord always suits the relief to the person in need to best strengthen and purify him or her." This really stood out to me in a RS lesson. It's a quote from President Eyring's talk on adversity in April 2009 conference. It answered millions of prayers from our first year of marriage. Tyson was suffering from depression and it was hard as newlyweds! I remember praying, begging for someone to call, drop by, ask how we were so I could unload on them what we were suffering. LOTS of tears were shed. I can think of so many many dark times, spent on my knees praying for help. Looking back, I see that my prayers were answered. No one came by, no one called. So that means we turned to each other. We helped each other through that trial and our marriage was strengthened. It has made me much more aware and compassionate to those suffering with mental illnesses. And it helped us learn to talk things over, to communicate, not to manipulate each other, to lean on one another and to depend on the Lord and have faith in Him. I don't know if those things would have been possible had my prayers been answered another way! There is power in prayer, and sometimes we don't see it until after. Wow, this is eye-opening.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Prayer
Isn't this picture cute? It's from "The Friend"
The Bible Dictionary says prayer is asking for blessings God is willing to give but are conditional upon us asking. That makes me wonder about our house selling. We haven't really prayed specifically for anything. We figure however it works out is what's supposed to happen. But maybe we need to take a more active stance. We need to decide if we are willing and ready to move and if it will be the best thing for our family. And if so, we need to specifically ask for that blessing, and often. The lingering between staying or going is kind of stressful. We'll see.
People who consistently seem to affirm, validate, motivate, and nourish those around them
From "A Heart Like His" page 68-69, I am supposed to write down the names of people who consistently seem to affirm, validate, motivate, and nourish those around them and perhaps a specific encounter with such a person.
The first person that comes to mind is my aunt K. I'll think of an experience later.
Others: Aunt G, husband, CKL (friend from hs), AK (neighbor, ward member, friend)... I'm having a hard time with this.
Okay, example Aunt K- almost every time I talk to her, she says something about how she loves my husband and she loves me, but she loves us together even more. It makes me feel good about my choice in a husband (I already feel great, lucky, blessed, but it's always good to hear other people agree!) and it makes me appreciate husband more and want to work as a team more. I really do love my husband! And it is fun that he has such versatile interests. It's keeps our life exciting!
Aunt G- I can't think of anything she's specifically said, but I remember the way I always felt around her. Special, important, loved. How did she do that? I've thought on this one many times trying to figure it out. I think it's because I felt safe around her. I didn't feel her judging me. Plus when we were little, she'd take us to do fun and special things!
Husband- he always disagrees when I say I'm bad at ________ (enter anything here). He tells me I look great when I feel ugly. He has confidence in me and I feel like I can do more because he thinks I can. :) He's sweet. I love him!
CKL- I'm not sure on this one, but I guess I can't think of her ever talking badly about anyone. She's really positive and looks for the good in others. She's not afraid to risk when it comes to love and I think that's help shape the person she's become.
AK- Learning the violin makes me feel vulnerable, but A validates my efforts. She makes me feel normal. She treats me like a friend, even though she's older than me and feels like my mentor. And she is a nourisher. I watch her with her children.
The first person that comes to mind is my aunt K. I'll think of an experience later.
Others: Aunt G, husband, CKL (friend from hs), AK (neighbor, ward member, friend)... I'm having a hard time with this.
Okay, example Aunt K- almost every time I talk to her, she says something about how she loves my husband and she loves me, but she loves us together even more. It makes me feel good about my choice in a husband (I already feel great, lucky, blessed, but it's always good to hear other people agree!) and it makes me appreciate husband more and want to work as a team more. I really do love my husband! And it is fun that he has such versatile interests. It's keeps our life exciting!
Aunt G- I can't think of anything she's specifically said, but I remember the way I always felt around her. Special, important, loved. How did she do that? I've thought on this one many times trying to figure it out. I think it's because I felt safe around her. I didn't feel her judging me. Plus when we were little, she'd take us to do fun and special things!
Husband- he always disagrees when I say I'm bad at ________ (enter anything here). He tells me I look great when I feel ugly. He has confidence in me and I feel like I can do more because he thinks I can. :) He's sweet. I love him!
CKL- I'm not sure on this one, but I guess I can't think of her ever talking badly about anyone. She's really positive and looks for the good in others. She's not afraid to risk when it comes to love and I think that's help shape the person she's become.
AK- Learning the violin makes me feel vulnerable, but A validates my efforts. She makes me feel normal. She treats me like a friend, even though she's older than me and feels like my mentor. And she is a nourisher. I watch her with her children.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Quote from "A Heart Like His"
I feel this way often!
"I am blessed, personally, beyond measure, and yet oddly enough, I, too struggle to feel His love for me every day. When I stack my obstacles against others' they seem too frivolous to be authentic. And yet, this mortal existence is designed by a genius, so that we all, no matter our circumstances or parentage of gifts, have to exercise our agency to come to Him. And so though my problems may seem small to an outsider, they are big enough for me to desperately need Him."
Virginia Pearce
"I am blessed, personally, beyond measure, and yet oddly enough, I, too struggle to feel His love for me every day. When I stack my obstacles against others' they seem too frivolous to be authentic. And yet, this mortal existence is designed by a genius, so that we all, no matter our circumstances or parentage of gifts, have to exercise our agency to come to Him. And so though my problems may seem small to an outsider, they are big enough for me to desperately need Him."
Virginia Pearce
Thoughts on Prayer
I was asked to give a 5-minute talk about the power of prayer at an enrichment activity coming up next week. I've spent that last few minutes reading talks my prophets and apostles on prayer. I feel so uplifted and encouraged. I am so grateful for the knowledge the gospel brings of my relationship with Heavenly Father. I think it was Elder Bednar who said when we truly understand and realize our relationship to God- that we are His children, prayer becomes very natural. (Quoted from the Bible Dictionary)
I remembered while reading this talk about offering prayers of gratitude only, that I did that very thing right after the miscarriage. I remember saying a prayer of the things I was grateful for. And I remember that prayer being very full, heartfelt, and long! It brought the Spirit into my life in a way that couldn't happen otherwise.
I am beginning to realize the possibility of "praying always." As I become closer to Heavenly Father, I recognize opportunities to pray more often. Does that make sense? On good days, I am constantly praying. Thanking, asking for help with Grant, for help with church callings, for Tyson at work, for relationships with others, etc. Those are the days that I am most uplifted.
I can think of LOTS of prayers for help in finding something. About once a week, I think I ask for help finding keys, wallet, phone, etc. Once it was a very desperate prayer to find my wedding ring. It had been tossed into the garbage along with an empty bag. I was prompted to check there, and when I pushed some garbage aside, there was the ring at the bottom of the can.
I've prayed for patience with Grant and for understanding with Tyson. My life is enriched and extremely blessed because of prayer.
I have felt closer to Aunt Ginny and others who have gone before me. I have been helped with practicing music. I remember once during an organ practice being extremely frustrated. I was in tears because I simply could not conquer a certain piece of music. I prayed and prayed for help. The Spirit gently reminded me that sometimes I just have to work hard. That I could be successful, but I was going to have to work at it. I practiced and practiced and eventually was able to play the song successfully.
I learned about prayer today. Grant was giving the prayer before lunch. He said he was grateful for the park, where we had just spent an hour at earlier that morning. It was so simple. He already understands that we thank for the things that help bring us happiness. It was precious and something I want to remember.
I am rambling, but more thoughts to come, I think.
I remembered while reading this talk about offering prayers of gratitude only, that I did that very thing right after the miscarriage. I remember saying a prayer of the things I was grateful for. And I remember that prayer being very full, heartfelt, and long! It brought the Spirit into my life in a way that couldn't happen otherwise.
I am beginning to realize the possibility of "praying always." As I become closer to Heavenly Father, I recognize opportunities to pray more often. Does that make sense? On good days, I am constantly praying. Thanking, asking for help with Grant, for help with church callings, for Tyson at work, for relationships with others, etc. Those are the days that I am most uplifted.
I can think of LOTS of prayers for help in finding something. About once a week, I think I ask for help finding keys, wallet, phone, etc. Once it was a very desperate prayer to find my wedding ring. It had been tossed into the garbage along with an empty bag. I was prompted to check there, and when I pushed some garbage aside, there was the ring at the bottom of the can.
I've prayed for patience with Grant and for understanding with Tyson. My life is enriched and extremely blessed because of prayer.
I have felt closer to Aunt Ginny and others who have gone before me. I have been helped with practicing music. I remember once during an organ practice being extremely frustrated. I was in tears because I simply could not conquer a certain piece of music. I prayed and prayed for help. The Spirit gently reminded me that sometimes I just have to work hard. That I could be successful, but I was going to have to work at it. I practiced and practiced and eventually was able to play the song successfully.
I learned about prayer today. Grant was giving the prayer before lunch. He said he was grateful for the park, where we had just spent an hour at earlier that morning. It was so simple. He already understands that we thank for the things that help bring us happiness. It was precious and something I want to remember.
I am rambling, but more thoughts to come, I think.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)