Through the Book of Mormon we have been provided with
additional scripture and a second witness of our Savior Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is a guide and road map
back to our Heavenly Home. It also gives us valuable information exposing who
Satan is, his works, and how he tries to lead us off the path and misdirect our
journey, in hopes we will not make it home.
Satan uses many tactic to lead all those he can through
flattery, false churches, false teachings, pride, sin and denying the power of
God. Today, many are blinded by the words of man verses the words of God. If we
do not follow the road map given to us by our Heavenly Fathers Son, we will in
fact find ourselves misdirected to an uncertain path.
One way we can stay on the path and truly be guided home is
through prayer. Prayer is essential in not being deceived and staying on the
path.
In 2 Nephi 32:8-9
“…For if we would hearken unto the spirit which teacheth a
man to pray ye would know that ye must pray’ for the evil spirit teacheth him
that he must not pray.”
“But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and
not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first
place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will
consecrate they performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the
welfare of thy soul.”
When I have decisions or cross roads in my life, I counsel
with the Lord. I may not get an immediate
answer, but I always get answers. There are
times when I have had a continual prayer in my heart the entire day. I don’t stop talking to my Heavenly Father. Prayer and a close relationship with our
Heavenly Father are two things I have found to stay on the path back home.
What does “praying always” mean to you?
What causes us to fall victim to the spiritual dangers
around us?
4 comments:
I think the phrase 'pray always' goes hand in hand with 'remember Him.' I think if we continuously have a prayer in our heart and are trying to do what is right, we are keeping our sacrament covenant to Remember our Savior. When I am successful throughout the day at doing what is right, it's usually because I am thinking about my Savior and trying to be like him and keeping a continual prayer for help and hope in my heart that I can be better. When I forget to do this is when I fall victim to spiritual decay.
I like that part where Nephi says, "that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ." There are times that I literally have a prayer in my heart all day because there is something (or someone) I am concerned about or something difficult I need to overcome. Those times it is easy to pray always. However, a lot of days I don't. But, I think if I remember that I shouldn't do ANYTHING without praying first, I can be better at "praying always." For example, I'm heading into the grocery store. Why pray about that? Well, maybe I could say a silent prayer that I'll be patient with my kids, kind to other customers and employees, and that I'll be able to stay within my budget,etc... I could think of a dozen other examples like that. Maybe I'm taking my kids to playgroup and I say a silent prayer that they're safe and that I can connect with them at their level and that I don't gossip with the other moms. Those might seem like silly things to pray for, but that kind of thing I think would really help me be more Christlike and avoid spiritual dangers.
Mother, do not be deceived by Steff and Ellie posting before me...they are just sucking up to you since they forgot to post until late last time.
Regardless, I loved your post. It made me think of that funny phrase you used to tell us "seven days without prayer makes one weak(week)."
Praying always, to me, is following the Holy Ghost. To have a prayer in your heart always should mean the Holy Ghost is with you always. That means you should be always listening to his promptings-this will allow greater insights in your life (answers to prayers even) and will also allow you to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The main causes to falling victim to the spiritual dangers around us are that we are not giving enough thought on the things of the Lord. When we become to caught up in the worldly side of life, we forget the essentials-where we came from, where we are going, why we are here, etc..-and we lose sight of what we are to do.
Prayer has changed my life. I have hope, love, and optimism because of prayer. I also have the spirit in my life when I diligently pray. Thank you for reminding me how important prayer is always.
Thanks for all your responses. they are all great examples how to "pray always." If we remember to pray for the little things, keep a prayer in our heart it will help us remember to pray about all things. Thanks for the reminder to think about the Savior throughout the day and stay anchored! This will help us to have a closer relationship with him.
I had an experience this past week where I was prompted to say a prayer for someone, a feeling came over me, I knew something was wrong and I said a prayer for them. I don't know if it helped but I asked Heavenly Father to bless them and keep them safe. In the middle of the night I had another prompting and again said a prayer for them. Not knowing what was wrong but knowing i needed to evoke blessing on their behalf to protect them for what ever danger or evil was near.
The Savior said, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask . and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." D&C 88:63
Elder Packer said, "Learn how to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil."
We have a better chance to withstand Satan and never be deceived if we do have a prayer in our heart continually and never forget we are not alone!
Loren I love that saying still to this day, i learned it when I was probably eight and never forgot it. Your right when we have the spirit directing us we are more likely to have a continual prayer for those we love, our neighbors, country, family, and we will want to consult in all things with the Lord.
I have the best daughters in the world! Thanks for sharing part of your testimonies with me! Love you all :)
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