The Power of Prayer

I have been having been thinking about my prayers and evaluating them a lot these days.  I have studied, and asked questions, and gained new insights from many great examples that I thought I'd consolidate and post today.  I've been learning new things about listening, about the difference between formal and continuous prayer, and how the word "Amen" can make even prayers I don't personally say become meaningful. 

A prayer is direct communication with God.  It's a 2-way conversation.  We say things to Him, and He will respond.  If we only talk, we can't hear what He says.  Since he hears what we say all the time, I view prayer as more of a listening experience than a talking one.  Our prayers, whether formal or continuous, are a chance for us to "tune" ourselves into His help and insight.  Sometimes we need to wait for the answer, or "ponder" as the scriptures say.  Take some time to give God a change to talk.  It is a conversation after all.   The biggest key to making a prayer reach God is that it is said in the Name of Jesus Christ.  He is the only name under heaven by which we can get to the Father.  He is our advocate. 

I'm coming to discover the difference between a prayer in your heart and daily formal prayers.  Both are necessary.  Daily prayers are formal acts when we stop what we're doing and submit to God for a time.  Submitting can take several forms.  The more we submit, the more we show God we value and need his help.  Kneeling is the ultimate showing of humility.  The kneeling position is the most vulnarable position a human can be in.  In defense of an attack, the knees are the worst place to be.  You have to first move to your feet or drop your hands to the floor to be able to move your body.  Even on your back you can roll over or push off.  Being on your knees is total submission.  We also put other senses at bay when we pray.  We close our eyes, bow our head, fold our arms, and isolate ourself in a quiet place.  All these actions show God our dependance on him and our true desire to receive His answers.  Even as we speak outloud, we can fill the sound with the words we want, that will create the environment we want.  Try doing it outloud maybe once a day, it's awesome.

The prayer of the heart is one that happens continuously through out the day.  It's like having your radar tuned into God at all times.  As we need his help or guidance even more, we can tune our radar into him slightly more by silently calling out to him.  For me, I've found that as I just pause for a brief moment, I can say a breif prayer.  Since a prayer needs to be in the Name of Jesus Christ, that is how I begin my silent prayers.  The declaring of Christ's name can occur any time through our the prayer.  Like the sacrament prayers, his name is stated, the prayer follows, then said with Amen.  Similarly, I like to start my silent prayers that way, and then in one quick thought ask for the help I need.  In my mind I'll say, "In the Name of Jesus Christ, help me with this situation."  That's a prayer as we then listen to what follows from on high.

The concept of "Amen" has come to mean a lot more to me these days.  Amen means "it is so."  By saying Amen after a prayer, you are basically stating that you agree with the prayer, so in essense, you are offering the same prayer.  We have a dialogue with God in each setting in which we pray.  We have a personal dialogue, a companion dialogue (for the missionaries or spouses out there), we have a family dialogue, a congregation, etc.  With each setting, when we say Amen, we are all agreeing that we have said the same thing and we all can then listen to the answers that come from God.  A practice that's come to help me a lot is to actually repeat the words of whoever is praying in my own head, and then it becomes even more meaningful for me in every situation. 

I know our prayers can become so meaningful and useul in our lives.  I have gained a much deeper appreciation for God's communication to me.  I know it is the best source of guidance, and has become my first action for any situation.  I thank all those who have helped my prayers improve, and hope to have this process continue to climb throughout my life.  I hope my insights can help your prayers increase in meaning.  I know God loves us and is always there for us.

This video really is awesome.  This is Elder Holland, from the quorum of the twelve apostles.  He's a very educated man on his own, and went to present the basics of the church to students at Harvard University.  He does an amazing job, as of course a special witness of Christ would, of teaching the fundamental doctrines and principles that we believe.  He touches on evey facet that the missionaris teach, from Christ's life and divinity, to the Plan of Salvation, and the restoration of the gospel through Joseph Smith.  Amazing!

This is audio only.  It follows the first video as a question and answer.  He answers so thouroughly, and yet simply.  He bears testimony and is very intuitive to the real issues.  He's such a great example to me.  I know we have living prophets and apostles in our day and age.  God still directs and guides us today.  This is the fulness of times.  Heed their words!

Power Up Your Testimony

So I've been slacking on my blog posts, so I'm gonna get back into it with a simple one today.  I've really been thinking a lot about my testimony, the testimony of those around me, and how I can build both mine and theirs. 

What is a testimony?

A testimony is knowledge based on experiences one has had.  One can testify they witnessed something, either for a case in court, or even for vouching their friend really did eat 6 saltine crackers in under a minute (possible... by the way.. ha).  A testimony is something that grows over time and by degrees.  A testimony can even be built by the testimony of others. 

I'll liken our testimony to a flashlight that you winde up to generate the power to turn it on.  As you start from a dark light, it takes a while to winde it up until it is bright.  Once it's there, you have to continue to winde it in order to keep it bright.  If you stop winding, it will begin to dim.  You may not always be in dire need for the light, it may be daytime.  But night will come.  You may pass through a tunnel, or cloudy weather, or any number of places that the light needs to be used.  If the light is not there because you haven't been winding, it may be too late to prevent a mishap.  On the other hand, if that light is kept bright, it'll be there when you need it. 

I know this applies to us today, as we do the little things, reading our scriptures, saying our prayers, going to church, we "winde up" our testimony.  If we keep it bright, it will be there when we need it.  I know our testimony is one of the most valuable things we can have in this life.  I testify that my testimony has lighted the dark paths of my life.  I hope and pray we all keep winding our light.  If you feel yours getting dim, winde a little harder for a while, and it will catch up!

I Hope you're Hoping, Hopefully

So it's been a little while since I posted and I have been meaning to do so.  Here's a nice short post to share my recent thoughts and get my Blog ball rolling again.  What is Hope?

I recently studied "Hope" as one of the Christlike attributes in Preach My Gospel (pg. 117), and was taken back that it's not quite what I thought it was.  The world has a misconception on what hope really is.  In the world's view, hope has a connotation that leaves room for doubt.  "I hope my team wins the game," or  "I hope it's not raining tomorrow."  Well when the word hope is used in the scriptures, it is used in an sure and confident kind of way.  PMG says that hope is an abiding trust, an assurance, an anchor.  Hope is knowing that things will work out for our good.

Hope is closely related to faith.  Faith is an action.  If we have faith in something we move forward with steps we might not have taken otherwise.  Hope is the assurance that something will come of that action.  In my mind, faith starts the action, and hope maintains it.  In the Book if Mormon in Ether 12:4 it reads  "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."


Hope creates a foundation that is sure and steadfast.  Hope is the driving force that brings us to face the hard times and remember why our faith got us started in the first place.  I hope I can serve my mission to the best of my ability.  I hope I will receive remission of my sins.  I hope I will be found spotless and inherit eternal life.  I know that we can all attain these things as we go forward.

2 Nephi 31:20 reads,  "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of  hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."


I know that this is true!  I know that we can hope for a better world, and see it happen.

Here's Me

       So today, I'm writing a more personal and out of the ordinary (for my blog) type of post.  Most of what I've written is ideas I've had, things I've always wanted to get out into the world, or just plain gibberish that I've happily emptied from my mind.  Today, I'm gonna post what I consider to be a "normal post."  I feel it is time to just talk about where I'm at, and express the best I can in words, how thankful I am to my Father in Heaven for my wonderful life and people that make it that way.
     I'm now about 17 months into this 24 month ordeal, and blown away at the experience that it is.  I absolutely Love being a missionary.  It is full of so many things that just don't compare to anything else I've ever done.  I've never lived such a strict routine, and I love it.  I love seeing such changes in myself and others when consistent goal setting, plans set, and action really occurs.  It's amazing!  I love the gospel.  My testimony of this church and of the restoration is more solid than I ever thought it could be.  I can say "I Know..." and mean it.  I'm so thankful for this.  I've been blessed so much I sometimes think it is unfair.
     The parable of the talents has been on my mind a lot on my mission.  One guy got 5, another 2, and another 1.  The guy with 5 used them and made 10, the guy with 2 made 4, but the guy with 1 hid it away and lost the one he had.  The part to this that I've been realizing is that God gave me many talents.  I have an obligation to use them.  The more talents we are given, the more additional talents we then must gain and use for God's work.  I equate this to more than just actual talents, but also blessing we are given in life.  The more we are blessed, the more we should use those blessings thankfully to further God's work.
     I've been thinking a lot about relationships we have in this life as some of those blessings, or talents per se. The people around me, and the relationships and memories I have with them, are the best part of my life.  Time = Love, and Love is what it takes to make a good relationship, so good relationships require time.  I think that is why my mission is so great.  We spend all our time building these relationships with anyone and everyone that will hear our words.  No wonder I've grown to love so many people so much in such a short time (on the calender).  Whenever I first get to a new town, I think, "Eh, this place is ok... I don't really like the weather, or geography or... I doubt I'll want to come back here."  And then after a relatively short time, I meet so many wonderful people, build these amazing and inspired connections, and now I can't fathom Not coming back to visit.  It's happened everywhere I go.  Take away the people, I doubt I'd ever go back.  But with those faces, memories, and life-changing moments in both mine and their lives, I must go back to visit.
     Well back to my other train of thought, I've been so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life, and right now I want to take a moment to tell the world about the most important relationship I have in this life.  My Mom.  She has spent more time on me than anyone I know.  She has given more of herself to making me who I am than I even realize.  Words can't express the amazement I have for who she is, what she's done, and the great example she has set for me.  She served her mission to Italy, and her testimony has never wavered in the tiniest amount.  She's always stood by me and sometimes I don't even understand why I deserve to be so lucky.  "Because I have been given much I too must give."  My mom's love is spreading to the people of California.
     Now that little Momma's boy is done, I want to say that so many relationships in my life have given me knowledge, experience, happiness, and growth.  These are what make me me.  I have been given so much, that I'm duty bound to use that for the benefit of God's work.  I'm so grateful to do it in this capacity.  I'm so glad to have learned what life is truly all about.  I know that I will be doing this my whole life, whether I have a badge on or not.  I've been shown a lifetime of love and blessings, and if I don't use them to do the same thing, I'd be hiding them away.
     This didn't go quite where I thought it would go, but in the end, I just want to tell the world, or anyone who may stumble across this blog and make it through my un-illustrated posts to get to this point, that I Love Life.  This is such a wonderful place to be right now.  I have so many wonderful blessings that I'm eternally grateful for.  The main one being Christ, My Savior, My Redeemer, My Lord, My Friend.  I'd be lost without him, and I'm eternally in his debt.  As we celebrate his coming into the world, I express my joy and hallelujahs for his birth.  He has shown more time and love than any being before and since for every single individual on this earth, me included.  I Know He Lives.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Allow Remembrance

Helaman 5:5 For they remembered the words which their father Helaman spake unto them. And these are the words which he spake:

 6 Behold, my sons, I desire that ye should remember to keep the commandments of God; and I would that ye should declare unto the people these words. Behold, I have given unto you the names of our first parents who came out of the land of Jerusalem [Lehi and Nephi]; and this I have done that when you remember your names ye may remember them; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know how that it is said, and also written, that they were good.

What does remember mean in this context? Helaman went so far as to give his sons specific names to help them remember who they stood for and what they had been taught.  What did Helaman want them to remember?

 9 O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world.

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Helaman wanted them to remember the teachings of Christ.  He wanted them to have that with them When the hard times come; When the storms hit.  Why did Helaman want it?

14 And they did remember his words; and therefore they went forth, keeping the commandments of God, to teach the word of God among all the people of Nephi, beginning at the city Bountiful;

Because they did what their father had asked.  They built their own testimony and went out to teach.  So what happened?  

18 And it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi did preach unto the Lamanites with such great power and authority, for they had power and authority given unto them that they might speak, and they also had what they should speak given unto them—

 19 Therefore they did speak unto the great astonishment of the Lamanites, to the convincing them, insomuch that there were eight thousand of the Lamanites who were in the land of Zarahemla and round about baptized unto repentance, and were convinced of the wickedness of the traditions of their fathers.

All because they remembered what they were taught!

So how can we remember?  

I love the example that Nephi and Lehi set for us all to follow.  I love seeing their efforts and results from them.  I think the way to help us do the same is to allow ourselves to remember. 

We allow ourselves to do many things in a day.  Maybe it's allow one more snooze of the alarm, or allow one more piece of candy, or one more missed opportunity.  Why not allow one more chapter of reading for the night, one more phone call to a friend, one more kind word, one more smile.  I know we have it within us to do what is right, and we have the desire and promptings to be an instrument in God's hand.  Just Allow It!  If we all allowed one more gift at Christmas, one more kind word, one more......  how much of a change could we make?  I know the Holy Spirit guides us and we have the choice to act upon it or shrug it off.  Allow yourself one more today.  Make the world happier for one more person, and make one more moment brighter. 

(All verses from Helaman chapter 5 http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/hel/5?lang=eng, italics added)

Give Oh Give, Give Oh Give!

As this Christmas time is here, I'm reminded of the lyrics to a childhood song I used to sing.

Give said the little stream,
Give oh give. Give oh give.
Give said the little stream,
As it hurried down the hill.

I'm small I know but wherever I go,
The grass grows greener still.
Singing, singing all the day,
Give oh give away!

Simple, yet profound.  The stream gave what it had.  Although small, it's contribution was obvious and it saw the grass grow greener wherever it went. 

At this time of year, all we have to do is give away our little song, our little smile, out little time and love, and the grass will grow greener.  The love will reciprocate.  I know we all have something to contribute.  I know Christ's love is real, and for anyone who has felt a glimpse of that, there is a light within to share with others.  Give of yourself this Chrsitmas, and watch the grass grow greener in others lives, as well as your own.  That's the beauty of giving, all parties lift. Give oh give away!