Prayer

For my study time this morning I was studying my Primary lesson for this week which is “Jesus Christ Teaches about Prayer”.  One of the scriptures that I read was Alma 34:27 which says, “Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.”

I stopped after I read that verse and told Lynn of an experience I had in Boise as a youth.  I was a Laurel and had a wonderful Laurel advisor, Marion Reed.  I loved her then and I love her now.  But one day as I was meeting with her and we were setting some goals for my Personal progress (I don’t remember what it was called way back when) one of the goals that I wanted to set for myself was to “Pray Always”.  I remember her response to that goal was that I could not use it because it was impossible to do.  She said there is no way to pray always and that I would have to choose a different goal. 

I told Lynn that I have thought about that conversation at least once a month since I was 17.  It really frustrated me that she said that to me because I knew that somehow it was possible.  I wasn’t sure at the time how, but I knew that if my parents told me it was that it was.  For a long, long time, maybe even until this morning I have been frustrated with Sister Reed about that.  But this morning I finally came to understand what a blessing that was in my life.  I told Lynn that I think maybe that is where my deep desire for and testimony of prayer really took flight.  I wanted somehow to prove her wrong.  I wanted to understand prayer more and understand how it was possible, because I really believed it was possible, to be able to “pray continually”. I was never ever mad at Sister Reed ~ just frustrated.  Now I realize that she probably just didn’t understand where my heart was with that goal and the discussion was over when she made me choose another goal.  So I never did get a chance to talk to her about what I was feeling.

But this morning I understood that as a turning point in my testimony of prayer.  I pray continually during my day.  I think that is why I don’t usually turn the TV on during the day ~ and why I don’t listen to the radio in my car while I am driving.  I love the quiet because I’m not distracted by anything other than my own thoughts and I spend a lot of time talking to my Heavenly Father during the day.  I talk to him about my kids and about my life and my marriage and my trials and my thankfulness.  I listen and try and hear what He might be saying to me.  I have such a testimony of prayer and the effect it has in my life.

I am thankful this morning for a Laurel advisor who some 35 years ago helped strengthen my testimony of prayer.  I loved her then and I love her now and the lesson she taught me, which all these years I have viewed as a negative thing, which truly has been one of the greatest blessings of my life. 

Prayer is truly the soul’s sincere desire ~ uttered or unexpressed!