The following post is a very long one. I promise it will be worthwhile if you have the time to read through it. There are some pretty amazing stories to follow to testify of the power of prayer.
Although I'm no longer an instructor in Relief Society, I still get to teach once every 3 months on the first Sunday to do a RS Presidency lesson. It was my month this month. We have decided as a presidency to focus on "the basics" this year. My lesson was on 'Prayer'. I feel this message in general can benefit others reading my blog and wanted to share my "findings" on the topic.
I opened my lesson by showing this video:
The line that stands out most to me from this short video is:
"If the power of faith is not
embedded into our hearts, the power to endure will crumble." -Elder Henry B. Eyring
Our RS Presidency message for this month is as follows:
We believe
that the first principle is first “Faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ”. The
easiest way to begin building our faith is through prayer.
“Personal prayer can build
our faith to do what God commands. We are commanded to pray
always that we will not be overcome. Some of the protection we need will
be direct intervention of God. But more of it will come from building our
faith to obey. We can pray every day to know what God would have
us do. We can commit to start to do it quickly when the answer comes. My
experience is that He always answers such petitions. Then, we can
choose to obey. As we do, we will build faith enough that we will not
be overcome. And we will gain the faith to go back again
and again for further instruction. When the storms come, we will be ready
to go and do what the Lord commands.”
-
Elder Henry B. Eyring Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Many of those I have interacted with recently are all feeling the same way I have been feeling. . . "Overwhelmed, Unmotivated and Stressed Out". I believe that many things happen and come up in waves. I too have felt this way in the past (just as anyone has through out their life) and asked Jeremy for a blessing of guidance and comfort. In my blessing it said that I can ask for relief from these large "stresses" in my life by a "SIMPLE" prayer. I have felt that sometimes comfort or guidance can only be achieved through an overwhelming procedure when instead we can personally receive that "PERSONAL" revelation with a simple prayer.
From a previous conference talk:
One human
resource officer assigned to handle petty grievances concluded an unusually
hectic day by placing facetiously a little sign on his desk for those with
unsolved problems. It read, “Have you tried prayer?” What he may not have
realized was that this simple counsel would solve more problems, alleviate more
suffering, prevent more transgression, and bring about greater peace and
contentment in the human soul than could be obtained in any other way.
That
statement alone is enough to see how this can be a “faith builder”… Something
so small and easy for ANYONE to do can solve more problems, alleviate more
suffering, prevent more transgression, and bring about greater peace and
contentment in the human soul than could be obtained in any other way.
****
“Satan
trembles, when he sees the weakest Saint upon his knees.”
6
Those who feel that prayer might denote a physical or intellectual
weakness should remember that a man never stands taller than when he is upon
his knees.
****
Another perspective to prayer:
…Prepare yourself and be ready to have that further light and knowledge to be the answer to someone else's prayer when they are in need.
Elder Russel M. Nelson, Quoram of the Twelve Apostles gives us a personal account from his own experience:
Many
of us have had experiences with the sweet power of prayer. One of mine
was shared with a stake patriarch from southern Utah. I first met him in
my medical office more than 40 years ago, during the early pioneering
days of surgery of the heart. This saintly soul suffered much because of
a failing heart. He pleaded for help, thinking that his condition
resulted from a damaged but repairable valve in his heart.
Extensive evaluation revealed that he had two faulty valves. While one could be helped surgically, the other could not. Thus, an operation was not advised. He received this news with deep disappointment.
Subsequent
visits ended with the same advice. Finally, in desperation, he spoke to
me with considerable emotion: “Dr. Nelson, I have prayed for help and
have been directed to you. The Lord will not reveal to me
how to
repair that second valve, but He can reveal it to you. Your mind is so
prepared. If you will operate upon me, the Lord will make it known to
you what to do. Please perform the operation that
I need, and pray for the help that
you need.”
21
His
great faith had a profound effect upon me. How could I turn him away
again? Following a fervent prayer together, I agreed to try. In
preparing for that fateful day, I prayed over and over again, but still
did not know what to do for his leaking tricuspid valve. Even as the
operation commenced,
22
my assistant asked, “What are you going to do for that?”
I said, “I do not know.”
We began the operation. After relieving the obstruction of the first valve,
23
we exposed the second valve. We found it to be intact but so
badly dilated that it could no longer function as it should. While
examining this valve, a message was distinctly impressed upon my mind:
Reduce the circumference of the ring. I announced that message to my assistant. “The valve tissue will be sufficient
if we can effectively reduce the ring toward its normal size.”
But
how? We could not apply a belt as one would use to tighten the waist of
oversized trousers. We could not squeeze with a strap as one would
cinch a saddle on a horse. Then a picture came vividly to my mind,
showing how stitches could be placed—to make a pleat here and a tuck
there—to accomplish the desired objective. I still remember that mental
image—complete with dotted lines where sutures should be placed. The
repair was completed as diagrammed in my mind. We tested the valve and
found the leak to be reduced remarkably. My assistant said, “It’s a
miracle.”
I responded, “It’s an answer to prayer.”
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Think of
things YOU are seeking the Lord’s help in. List what YOU can do to gain the
answer. Exercise faith in the Lord as YOU
pray for help and seek to do YOUR part to find a solution.
*Realize
that this requires you to “DO” something…
“Declaring
our testimony of the gospel is good, but being a living example of the restored
gospel is better. Wishing to be more faithful to our covenants is good;
actually being faithful to sacred covenants—including living a virtuous life,
paying our tithes and offerings, keeping the
Word of Wisdom,
and serving those in need—is much better. Announcing that we will dedicate more
time for family prayer, scripture study, and wholesome family activities is
good; but actually doing all these things steadily will bring heavenly
blessings to our lives.” –Elder Uchtdorf
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I
would like to share this story I read this week that touched me in regards to
prayer. It was sent to me by Sis. Travers, written in the LDS Meridian
Magazine. Get your tissue out. I can't make it through this story with out shedding a couple of tears.
Monday,
February 25 2013
Teach Me To Pray – A
Prisoner’s Plea
By Rynna Ollivier
Lately I have been reminiscing.
Looking back over my life I feel extremely grateful for all of the marvelous
experiences and blessings I have received. In doing so, I have come to a
significant realization. Many of my life’s finest moments have come when I was
on the Lord’s errand and didn’t know it. My visit to a French Tahitian prison
on the island of Tahiti was one such moment.
I remember waiting outside the
entrance to the prison – with about fifty other people – hoping and praying
that my husband would make it back in time so I wouldn’t have to go in alone.
When we first arrived at the
compound we found out that visitors were allowed to bring food and magazines in
to the prisoners. So my husband decided to make a quick market run, thinking he
had plenty of time before visitation.
But when I saw the guards coming
towards the entrance – and still no sign of him – I knew that I had to decide,
very quickly, whether or not I was going to go in without him.
A very intimidating officer gave
instructions regarding a security check and then unlocked the gates. The other
three held back, inspecting the crowd intently for anything suspicious looking.
Everyone, but me, rushed in.
As I stood there hesitating –
hoping that at any minute my husband would come driving up – I was told, very
harshly, that it was now or never, come in or stay out, but he was going to
lock up in five seconds and no one could come in after that. So I looked around
one last time, took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Once I entered the compound I
saw how awful it was. The place was filthy and rundown, and if you were lucky
enough to have an outside cell you had a small barred window facing the prison
yard.
I was grateful that I couldn’t
hear what was being yelled at me through some of the prisoner’s windows, as I
walked quickly across the grounds to the designated visitor’s area.
As I entered the building I
handed the guard at the desk the name of the prisoner I had come to see, and
took a seat with everyone else.
Unprepared
As I looked at the other
visitors with their bags of food and magazines, I felt sad that I was the only
one that didn’t have something for my prisoner.
There I sat, alone – with nothing
to give him, wondering what I could possibly say or do to bring hope and
comfort to someone in such a dire situation and that I had never met before!
Heart Wrenching Circumstances
We were there to see a young man
whose worst nightmare began about two years earlier, when he made friends with
two American surfers while vacationing in Tahiti. Unknown to him was that these
guys were involved in drug trafficking.
One day while they were having
lunch at a local café, the Police swooped in and arrested all three of them on
drug smuggling charges.
The International Drug
Authorities had been tipped off that some young American guys had been
smuggling drugs all over the world, laminated in their surfboards. The
Authorities got wind of them in South America, lost them for a while, and now
were finally able to track them down and arrest them in Tahiti.
The incarceration of the
innocent young man was unfortunately “guilt by association” – in a country with
zero drug tolerance. (This is important info for any young people who might be
reading this.)
The fact that my husband’s
cousin was legally representing this boy, and asked us to check on him while on
our vacation in Tahiti, is how I ended up in a prison on a beautiful Sunday
afternoon.
Prayer Is
the Soul’s Sincere Desire
After about twenty minutes in
the visitor’s area, a guard escorted me to a small, musty cement room where I
was told to wait. It wasn’t long before a very thin, distressed and dirty
prisoner was brought in. I don’t think “shocked” is a strong enough word to
describe his reaction when he saw me. I was nicely dressed – having just come
from Church – a total stranger and not much older than he was.
I fought back tears as I choked
out “Hello. My name is Rynna. I’m here on behalf of your father and your attorney.”
With those words came an instant meltdown. He dropped to his knees, bowed his
head, and wept.
As I watched his shoulders heave
with emotion, tears filled my eyes as I inwardly pleaded with Heavenly Father
to guide me as to what I should do and say. The next thing I knew I had moved
closer to him, placed my hand on his shoulder and reached down to help him to
his feet. He responded half-heartedly and took my hand.
We sat for quite a while in the
two chairs that had been placed in the small area, saying nothing, before he
finally broke the silence.
“Miss, do you believe there’s a
God?” I replied with all the fervor of my heart “I know there is!” “Do you
believe He hears and answers people’s prayers?” was his next question. “Yes –
yes I do,” I said. “Then would you teach me to pray?” he humbly asked.
With all that I was anticipating
he would ask me – and no answers to give him – I must admit I never imagined
that he would ask me about God and prayer.
It was at that moment that I
felt a shock run through my entire body as I remembered that I was carrying, in
my purse, the new issue of the Ensign, which was totally devoted to prayer.
I was filled with emotion as I
recalled the promptings of the spirit urging me to take it with me as I packed
for the trip. But it wasn’t until we were walking out the door to the airport
that I realized (again reminded by the spirit) that I had forgotten it. So I
ran back, got it and stuffed it down in my purse, where it had remained until
that very moment.
No Earthly
Goods Have I
I had not come bearing peanut
butter, beef jerky, candy or soft drinks – all the foods to satisfy his mortal
cravings. But what I had unknowingly brought this starving young man was
something he wanted much more than earthly food. He longed for spiritual food
for his spiritual cravings, and God had sent me with a feast!
The next words out of my mouth
were not my own, and imprinted deep into my soul. I took both of his trembling
hands in mine, looked into his dispirited eyes and said … “God is your Heavenly
Father. He loves you, knows that you’re here, and knows the desires of your
heart. He is concerned and saddened over your situation and has sent me to give
you this special magazine.
As I pulled this heaven sent
gift from the bottom of my purse and handed it to this despondent and forlorn
child of God, I felt angels encircle us.
But it was the look on his face
of pure joy and astonishment when he saw the cover – a young man kneeling at
the side of his bed, praying – that will live forever in my heart and mind.
The Spirit of God descended upon
that little cement room, in that vile and unholy prison, like dew from heaven,
as I watched the miracle of his countenance change from one of darkness and
despair to one of hope and light.
In God’s Care
This young man remained in
prison for another three years before he was finally released. But he was
released! The other two young men were sentenced to life.
Following my visit,
attorney/client privilege was honored and our cousin never discussed any of the
happenings or particulars of the case after that. But I knew in my heart that
this young man would be okay because he was in God’s tender care.
However, I did find out that
after his acquittal he returned to the States, got a job and enrolled in
school. And … not only did he know there was a God, but he knew that God loved
him, and that He did indeed answer prayers.
This experience impacted my life
beyond measure. It strengthened my testimony of unspoken, heartfelt prayer and
taught me, very personally, of Heavenly Father’s loving care, concern and mercy
for His children; that even in our darkest moments we can know the goodness of
God. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye search for me with all of your
heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13)
Looking Back
A couple of weeks ago I heard
Bette Midler sing one of her older – released in the 90’s – but very popular
songs, “From a Distance”. Some of you may remember it.
As I listened to her sing the
haunting chorus, “God is watching us / God is watching us / God is watching us
from a distance,” it really hit me as to what a profoundly misguided and false
message this song was sending to an already spiritually confused world!
God isn’t watching us from a
distance! He is right here with us, always ready to help and bless us, if we
but seek His help. “But behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes
are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me; But the day soon cometh
that you shall see me and know that I am . . .” (D&C 38:7).
A sure witness to this truth is
the remarkable experience I had in the Tahitian jail. How finely tuned every
aspect of that happening was.
Choosing to go on vacation where
this innocent young man was imprisoned, our cousin being his legal counsel and
asking us to check on him while there, his heartfelt longing to learn to pray,
my being prompted to bring the Ensign – which just happened to be totally
dedicated to prayer that very month – and it remaining stuffed in my purse for
days until the moment it was needed and called forth by the Lord.
This is not the work of chance
or of an impersonal, distant God! This heavenly assignment
was orchestrated by
a loving, Omnipotent, Omnipresent God – Lord of all creation – who knows our
every need, our every thought, and whose work and glory is to bring to pass our
immortality and eternal life – one on one. And it is this knowledge of God’s
love and purpose that is the glorious message of the Gospel! (See Moses 1:39)
I bless the day that I had the
opportunity to be on the Lord’s errand; to minister to one of His children who
was desperately in need, who looked heavenward for relief – and received it.
The memory of that Sunday has
carried me through years of difficulties – reassuring me at every turn that
“God does notice us. And He watches over us. But it is usually through another
person that He meets our needs.” (President Spencer W. Kimball)
And as often is the case, the
one who is on the Lord’s errand is blessed as much, if not more, then the one
who is ministered to. That certainly was the case for me. *
*Endnote - Weary in Waiting
Have any of you reading this
article has grown weary in waiting; feels abandoned or forgotten – longs to
know if God really is aware of your sufferings? It is especially for you that I
wanted to share this experience and assure you that relief is coming. You have
not been forgotten.
As to why we sometimes have to
wait so long or suffer so much before help or deliverance comes, I offer the
following compassionate and loving scriptures as a life raft for any who might
be struggling to stay afloat in the wake of adversity.
“My Son, (daughter) peace be
unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small
moment; (In the scheme of eternity)
And then, if thou endure it
well, God shall exalt thee on high … know thou, my son, (daughter) that all
these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (D&C
121:7-8; 122:7).
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"The
Lord is in all of our lives. He loves us. He wants to bless us. He wants us to
seek His help. As He guides us and directs us and as He hears and answers our
prayers, we will find the happiness here and know what He desires for us."
In the name of our humble Savior, Jesus Christ,
Amen
