Gaining an answer through Prayer

This morning I opened the scriptures to 1 Nephi 18-19. I was seeking direction for how to better share what I am learning with my family and others but I was sent in another direction and received inspiration on enduring trials and obtaining answers to prayers. Some of the scriptures that touched me were: 1 Nephi 18:3, 1 Nephi 18:16 and 1 Nephi 19:9. (you can read them for yourself :) ).

I then turned to my Conference talks and read Gary E. Stevenson's talk titled "Look to the Book". How grateful I am for the Book of Mormon. Reading it regularly this past month has changed me in so many subtle ways. His challenge to replace social media with even just 10 minutes of study a day is not to much to ask. He also said

"They will strengthen your faith, fill your soul with light, and prepare you for a future you scarcely have the ability to comprehend.

Within the book’s pages, you will discover the infinite love and incomprehensible grace of God. As you strive to follow the teachings you find there, your joy will expand, your understanding will increase, and the answers you seek to the many challenges mortality presents will be opened to you. As you look to the book, you look to the Lord."

I then found myself wandering into the topic of how to receive answers to prayers. I really struggle with this. I often want answers quickly and clearly. But this is not God's way.

We are told in D&C 9:8 "But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right." But what if we don't get that feeling or maybe we are not sure we received an answer?

I love Elder Richard G. Scott (I miss hearing him speak). As I search this topic two of his Conference talks came up.

April 2007-Using the supernal gift of prayer

October 1989-Learning to recognize Answers to prayers.

Well worth the read. He stated:

"He is our perfect Father. He loves us beyond our capacity to understand. He knows what is best for us. He sees the end from the beginning. He wants us to act to gain needed experience:

When He answers yes, it is to give us confidence.

When He answers no, it is to prevent error.

When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him, obedience to His commandments, and a willingness to act on truth. We are expected to assume accountability by acting on a decision that is consistent with His teachings without prior confirmation. We are not to sit passively waiting or to murmur because the Lord has not spoken. We are to act."

One quote especially I touched my heart.

"He will always hear your prayers and will invariably answer them. However, His answers will seldom come while you are on your knees praying, even when you may plead for an immediate response. Rather, He will prompt you in quiet moments when the Spirit can most effectively touch your mind and heart. Hence, you should find periods of quiet time to recognize when you are being instructed and strengthened. His pattern causes you to grow." 

Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.

HOPE

Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable. 

This month I chose HOPE for my theme. I am normally known as a positive person. In fact it drives my children crazy. They would come to me with their frustrations and I would start to point out all the positives. They did not like that. 

March is a month of HOPE. We see the seasons change, the blossoms begin to appear, Spring is on the doorstep. We feel it in the air. 

I know when I get in a dark place, I fight to get out. I can't breathe there. HOPE is what gets me out of bed in the morning, helps me take that first step each day. It is what allows me to close my eyes at night. HOPE is what makes each trial bearable. 

HOPE leads to faith, which leads to humility. We will receive the Holy Ghost (the comforter)  who will fill us with HOPE and that will lead to charity the pure love of Christ. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

When I find myself loosing hope, Despair takes its place. For me despair

has no place in my life.

2 Nephi 31:20

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, 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. 

HOPE shineth brightly before us.....it is what guides my path each day. 

Today

Today in Church and at  home the message were clear.

First a BYU devotional on TV on the chaos in the homes how to avoid it, how to realize where the Chaos is coming from. Then a Sunday School message on the Chaos and Oppression that the deceiver is spreading over the world, and our simple choice to have Faith in the power of God, his plan and his love for us... with a special focus on Isaiah 53 wherein it describes the plan and the Savior's atoning sacrifice, followed by a lesson in Relief Society on Repentance.

How grateful I am that I felt in tune with the spirit today and listened to the messages being taught,  because the minute I got home I was once again bombarded with the doubts, the bitterness, and the whisperings of negativity that seem to pervade my thoughts these days.

And so I look to the scriptures and my faith in the Savior to give me direction and strength as I continue to try to put my life in order, and bring the spirit in to my home.

Matt. 14: 31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

 

D&C 6: 36

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.