Sep 7, 2013

Prayer


What is a prayer?
Prayers are the connecting power between us and our Father in Heaven. In the Bible dictionary it says;
As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. 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. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

We pray because God is our Father. Because this is so, He hears our pleas and He blesses us according to His will, but he does require us to act before he can do so. This to me is one of the greatest gifts God has given me. He gives me his time. I can speak with him and I KNOW that he is listening to me. I know that he cares about me enough to answer those heart-felt prayers. He lends me his ear when no one else will hear me. What loving father would hear his child's cry for help, and simply ignore it. God can not do that. He WILL give us help if we ask.

3 Nephi 27:29
Therefore, ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he that asketh, receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened.


An important part of prayer is this "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..."We must be living worth of the blessings God has in store for us. Kind of how in order for Santa Claus to bring us presents, we have to be on the 'nice list'. But how do we get on the Lord's 'Nice list'? the Bible dictionary goes on to say; "We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ—when His words abide in us (John 15:7). 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." 

If we follow the advice found in 1 John 3:22 we can have the promise of the Lord that he will answer our prayers.
    1 John 3:22
    22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
    I know that if we do these things, if we try our best to 'keep his commandments' we will be worthy if those blessings. If we humble ourselves and make our will the same as the Lords, if we give ourselves up to him, He will be able to mold us and bless us.
    Prayer is a true power. We are not far from the Lord when we are on bended knee. He Is willing to answer every question that we ask, him but are you willing to do what ever he asks of you? If so I would invite all of you to knee in prayer and ask God if He loves you. I know that he WILL answer.
    In this I testify, in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.


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