A day of prayer

We just celebrated Thanksgiving a holiday that was established by the first president of the United States of America. Originally it was called a day of prayer and that it was to be celebrated to honor our country and its freedom. It’s funny how time has passed and it’s evolved through the ages. Lincoln used it to bind the North with the South. So what has become of us?

When we take freedom for granted we tend to bastardize the very things that we hold dear. For a lot of us this is our faith. Just look at what we have done to the very symbols we hold for God and his people. Prayer is mocked and atheists are encouraging the removal of it. We are becoming (could be beyond the point) a people that have no gratitude for God or one another. It shows in our shopping habits after the holiday that we call Thanksgiving. We have become so numb from the commercialization of the holidays that we cannot see anything good nor hear it either. The songs and jingles flood our ears and images flood our eyes because we just will not turn it off.

What is to be done? Do you remember the call to listen to the still small voice. He is not in a shaking mountain or roaring river that we would call media. He can be found in the simple things of life; the very things that make us thankful for what we have. Let us take some time this week to give thanks to our maker for giving us a great country, faith to guide us and friends and family to hold dear. Let us remember those that have no friends, homes, warmth or joy. Indeed we really want to say every day “God bless us, everyone”. Be kind to others this holiday and extend a worm heart so that we all can enjoy the next holiday. 

Happy holidays.

Image found here.

Recipe vs. Alchemy

During priesthood we had the discussion of prayer and our communication with God. The speaker brought up a pint perhaps by accident or in attempts by passing but he said that prayer was like a recipe. To some it is a mechanics skill; opening; thank you; we ask for; closing. Much like a home cook, this is what prayer is like for the young and inexperienced. To the older and more experience, prayer is more like what a master chef would do. There is some jenesequa where you have a full relationship with our Father in such a way that He hears and listens because you hear and listen; the exchange is thorough and complete.

Because prayer is a learning experience, to some this happens early in life. We have heard children talk to go in such a way that the Spirit cannot do anything but carry the message straight to heaven. Under that same breath we have seen others who are much older who, not without lack of sincerity, cannot get out of communicating but through the mechanics, either because of lack of experience or lack of relationship.

In my personal life I have had such experiences. When I first started out as a missionary I had to learn to stay on my knees to know I was communicating with God. It took weeks to really learn to show true appreciation and really listen to get success in the truly ready field that I had not seen in the beginning. There have other times in my life when I have learned that I could say even a few seconds of prayer now and know that the Lord would hear and answer my prayer in seconds.

The Lord's miracles are endless and while he answers your prayers in his own time, sometimes that time is so fast because you have mastered how to talk to the Master; you have developed the trust and love for the Savior that allows us to do as Nephi did, talk to God and receive an answer every time. To say that you are not like the Prophet Thomas S. Monson or the general Moroni or young David, the slayer of the giant, would be correct. You are you and that’s all the Father is asking of you. Talk to him like you would talk to him. Your relationship with God is a personal one. No one can mimic your relationship so you should not attempt to think that you should mimic the relationship of others. Prayer is your way to talk to God. He loves us all in ways that only apply to ourselves; there is only the two of us in that very personal relationship. Prayer strengthens that relationship.

So if you want to know that alchemy of your relationship with Heavenly Father, take some time to really pray and get to know him in a way that only you could ever know. Pray with all your heart and really talk to him. You will learn something about yourself and your Heavenly Father. He cares for you personally and would really like to hear from you. 

Image is found at http://www.picadillylillydiner.com/ 

The Importance of Prayer

It has been a while since I did a log so I some writing so I first apologize for not being there for my readers. I have had a dry spell in inspiration but I am back. I wanted to talk about what matters. The prophets, apostles and, well, church leaders have all made special reference to being out there and serving your fellow man without neglecting the very thing that holds you together the gospel and your family.  I find that hard sometimes being on the road a lot. I am here in Bothell WA today and Tacoma WA tomorrow. I still don’t know how other priesthood brethren are able to do this.

Among some of the things that I have learned is communication. I still am a real stinker at it but being isolated so often has caused me to work on it almost daily so that I can keep my family, job and friends. Your ‘A’ game is necessary. Perhaps that’s what our Father sometimes is telling us. We need to communicate with him because our brothers and sisters with him keep him company at home but we are away in a very isolated situation. If we want to keep good ties with him we need to call him often. We know how often for ourselves, daily, twice daily, thrice daily etc; as often as our eager child like minds will allow.

I remember a time when I was on a mission in California how I and one of my companions would pray for what seemed a long time yet so short. We would really communicate with God not just text him and jump into bed (you all know what I mean). It seemed silly at the time because he was such an example of prayer to me. When we first as companions he got on his knees and was praying for about 10 to 15 minutes. He really wanted Father to know how he was doing. We were already praying in the morning for both companion and individual prayer, we prayed over all our meals but at night when we are quiet and alone he really touched based with the Lord. I attempted to follow that example and at first I was not used to even being in prayer for such a ‘long’ time. Five minutes into it The prayer was really awful (‘um well you know me hee hee…’). I really didn’t know what to say. I really had not talked to him like a father but more like Santa Cause (... and I want converts.. and a good day.. etc.). I suppose that it was pathetic.

I am sure that some of the learning experiences that we go through are like that and I even see that with my kids. I know what’s going on in their lives but I want to hear them express it. The sheer joy that they express is what I want. I am certain that Father wants that from us. We are discovering our lives over again here in our probation but like children at a new playground we forget to tell our parents how much fun we are really having here. We have fun and success; we find joy and really go to town here but when we talk to Father about it we are so vague and short.

That being said perhaps we need to get back to our roots and really pray; not just cliffs note it. Talk to Him. He’ll really appreciate it. 

Image is located here. 

Morning Prayer

I am starting to get what prayer is about. For the longest time it was a Santa Clause thing for me. "Oh Lord this is hard please take it away. See ya! Amen." or "I want...uh... um.... blah blah blah. Thanks Santa er.... Lord."

Hopefully I have repented of that behavior enough that I realize that it's time to talk to my creator, my father; now days we discuss things. It takes a bit of time to get in that level of communication at first. I spent a long time on my knees because I heard nothing. So I listened at first for what seemed like tens of minutes, then minutes and now its seconds where I can hear His voice. Awesome! Now this doesn't stop him being my Father but its nice to hear his voice chastise or not. I like to hear his voice give me praise for my work and council for where I could improve.

I can see clearly why He wants us to take our souls serious and why he asks to talk to us in the morning and the evening. How else can he peal us away from our thoughts, the kids, our spouse, job, friends, debts etc.

You know sometimes He asks me "How you doing?" I am certain that an all knowing God knows but despite that he wants to hear it from you. You are important to Him. The more serious stuff he brings up occasionally but generally I bring it up when it is getting to me. I generally feel good but there are times where I as people in the past and in other places fear for the welfare of my soul. Times like that I need to talk to him and not just casually but seriously. Enos of the Book of Mormon went through that (perhaps a lot) and his experience teaches me to hang in there, listen, and do what he has told me to do since, well, forever.

God is no respecter of persons and that means that he has no favorites. While some would think that Jesus is his absolute favorite. I would disagree, He is His most obedient; that doesn't change how he feels about little ole me. I may not be THE Son of God but I am a son (though at times like the prodigal son I feel that I would be better off as a servant). I have the makings of greatness. It's not my genes that say that but the Man upstairs who says.Some of us at times squander the gifts that we are given like the prodigal son and we party here on earth (though it doesn't show much with all the day to day living) but we do not do what is needed to edify and glorify God and then we get on our knees and He says:"How was it?" We have no excuse we, like teenagers who have the keys to dad’s car can't (or will not) explain why it was not more fulfilling. Which reminds me of my earlier post about being immortal; what would we do without an accountability of what we did? That’s one of the key reasons why I pray; to say what I did with my life this day.

I know that most of us will not remember what I write but I put it out there for your consideration and thought. Pray often and be mindful of the Spirit. Have a blessed day.

Image is located at Grace University