May Presidency Message: Prayer

Recently I was over at my family’s house for Sunday dinner. As we were eating dinner we started discussing things that we had learned at church that day in our various wards. The topic soon turned to prayer and how much we need it in our lives.

Later that night I started thinking about all my experiences with prayer, the answers I’ve received and the reasons why I pray. I then remembered that prayer hasn’t always been easy for me. I used to forget or make up excuses not to pray. To remind myself to pray, when I was younger, I put a note on the mirror. The note had a quote from the hymn “Did You Think To Pray”:

“Ere you left your room this morning, did you think to pray? In the name of Christ, our Savior, Did you sue for loving favour as a shield today? Oh, how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day. So, when life gets dark and dreary, don’t forget to pray.” (Hymn No. 140, Did You Think To Pray)

This hymn has always been a good reminder for me how important prayer is, especially on those days that are difficult. For me, those are usually the days I do not feel like kneeling down and speaking to our Heavenly Father. But many times I have felt warmth and comfort from a loving Father in Heaven. I know that Heavenly Father is there for us, and that answers are given to those who sincerely pray. For me those answers haven’t always come instantly but they have always come eventually.

I know that as we pray we’re protected from the world around us and given strengthen to choose the right, to be an example to those around us. Heavenly Father wants to help us and hear from us. He is there, waiting. I am so grateful for the constant channel of communication that we have with Heavenly Father.

Love
Alaina