Day 17 = Gratitude for Prayer
The theme of the Sabbath Service was Prayer. The quote printed on the program caught my eye and captured my attention:
“With faith, we will be able to Pray for what we want, and appreciate whatever we get.” -#PresEyring
I have to admit, the sentence made me giggle – not just because they actually signed a quote from our apostle with a hashtag (!) – but also because it sounds so similar to one of my oft-repeated Mommy Mantras to my kids:
“You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit.” – Me
As I’m growing older my prayers are changing, mellowing, deepening. I find I’m including much more time recognizing my blessings and expressing gratitude, and much less time bringing my Supplication Shopping List.
I just talk to my Father in Heaven (formally kneeling twice a day, but also often just talking to him in the car or while I’m running, etc.) and I have a super simplified belief that He is right there in the room (or the car or the trail), patiently listening to what I have to say (maybe He TiVos my prayers and watches them later, but since it’s a time-space warp continuum thing it’s all the same, right?!). I also know that He knows all the things in my heart I don’t even know how to put into words yet. I trust Him completely to know what’s best. I know His guidance and answers always come from love, and are usually about teaching me something I need to learn. The most loving answer He gives is usually “no”, or “not right now.” 🌻
But, I don’t think getting an answer to what we want is actually what prayer is for. Nope. I think the true purpose of prayer is for us to give faith a try, and as soon as we say “Dear Father…” and start to talk to Him we open up a portal between the spiritual realm, and our home base here on earth. That kind of prayer gives God permission to enter into our life and help our heart and mind. We have to open the door, and then His Spirit of peace starts to flow in.
That’s the “secret sauce” of prayer! Its called the “peace that surpasses all understanding”, because it’s a feeling of inner strength that’s hard to describe. 🌷
When we welcome God into our day with a prayer, we may or may not feel something dramatic happening, but we are definitely building up strength in our soul to help us with the crazy challenges life keeps throwing at us.
In other words, Prayer does a body Good! ❤
Today I give thanks for Prayer, and the songs we sing that often become prayers. – MoSop
🎶 O MAY MY SOUL COMMUNE WITH THEE 🎶
– Hymn Text and music: Lorin F. Wheelwright, 1909–1987
Latter-day Soprano 