Avoid Eye Contact...

If you are anything like me, you try to avoid eye contact at all costs when someone asks for a volunteer to give the prayer. I really don’t know where my aversion to public prayer comes from, because I absolutely love teaching, but I am never afraid to say No, thank you. Personal prayer is different, I can say a million different personal prayers a day, and not even think about it. At home, in my car, at work, wherever I am, I have no problems saying a personal prayer. But the second someone asks me to pray in front of a group…nope, not going to happen. Haha!

There are two types of prayer that occur, as mentioned above, personal and public…but it is all going to the same source. I think we easily forget that our Heavenly Father is ALWAYS waiting for us to talk to Him. He WANTS us to talk to Him, and tell Him all about our day, joys, sorrows, trials, success, etc. He wants to know EVERYTHING!

For me, I find it easier to stay in a habit of daily prayer when things are going good, but the second things start getting hard, I shut myself up. That is the time we need to communicate the most with our Heavenly Father. We are a prideful bunch of people, and we think that we can get through things all on our own. We forget that we need God’s help. Stephen E. Robinson in his talk “Believing Christ:A Practical Approach to the Atonement,” speaks about this very issue. He explains that people try and do everything on their own, and try to save themselves. But we cant, and shouldn't have to do that. If we communicate with our Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, They will lift us up when we fall, give us the strength to keep going, and help us through our trials because They WANT us to succeed.

I have the privilege of working around 200+ Sister Missionaries most days when I am at work. They are always asking me how I am doing, and sometimes I will tell them the truth. If I am going through a hard time, and don’t really know what to do, I will ask their advice. Usually the first thing they will ask me is, “Amber, have you prayed about it?” Me, being my stubborn self, will laugh a little, and say “no, it’s not that big of a deal.” But it is my friends! Prayer is a HUGE deal! It should be at the forefront of our thoughts with anything and everything we are going through! These sweet sisters of mine constantly remind me that I need prayer every MINUTE of every DAY. If only it weren’t so easy for us to forget.

 

So, why is Prayer, and communication with our Heavenly Father so important? Well, why isn’t it? On a daily basis, how often do you speak with your earthly parents, your mom and dad? I am constantly talking to my parents throughout the day, in person, on the phone, through text/picture, etc. It is so easy for us to communicate in today’s world. But, it is just as easy to speak to our Heavenly Father. Just like our parents on Earth, He wants to hear from you constantly.  J. Devn Cornish of the Quorum of the Seventy, said, “Heavenly Father loves us so much that the things that are important to us become important to Him, just because He loves us” (The Privilege of Prayer).

Prayer is a gift for us. It allows us a line of contact with our Heavenly Father. Prayer is also easy, and simple. Formal personal prayer is generally given when on ones knees, kneeling at your bedside. But it doesn’t have to be. Anywhere you are, and whatever you are doing, you can always say a prayer, aloud or in your mind. Either way, it will be heard. President Thomas S. Monson counsels us on prayer, saying, “To those within the sound of my voice who are struggling with challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer.”

Many people will say, “I don’t think my prayers are being answered, or are even heard.” This is a common belief, but it would be wrong. God is always listening to our prayers, and He always knows what is in our hearts. Our prayers may not be answered in the time or way that we would like them to, but they will be answered in the best way for us. On receiving answers to prayer, Elder Richard G. Scottof the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, counsels, “It is a mistake to assume that every prayer we offer will be answered immediately…Don’t worry about your clumsily expressed feelings. Just talk to your Father. He hears every prayer and answers in His way.”

The bottom line is that we need to be praying all day every day. It doesn’t have to be a lengthy formal prayer; it can be a quick one wherever you are. God is there, He is listening, and He wants to help you. Allow Him to bless your lives by first coming to Him in prayer. Don’t let pride stand in the way of your Heavenly Father stepping in to assist you. Whatever you are going through right now, good or bad, pray to your Heavenly Father about it. He understands, He knows, and He wants to be able to bless your life immensely. Let God in, Pray to Him, Talk to Him.