Prayer by J.E. Knauf...as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit." (Doctrine & Covenants 6:14)
I think the disconnect can come in our spiritually immature (in the young sense rather than the spoiled sense though both may apply) approach to prayer and spiritual things. We often look upon prayer as a divine request list and/or a way to ask God to make our decisions for us. We forget one of the main reasons we are here is to learn to operate by faith and to exercise our own wills in righteous ways. It is a delicate balance to learn to subject or subdue our will to God's while also schooling and training our own desires and acquiring power through faith by acting upon our ability to choose.
I believe we receive more divine guidance and revelation than we realize. I think it is meant to be that way out of respect for our own agency. I believe that prayer is absolutely essential and serves us in so many ways. We receive strength through prayer. We receive enlightenment through prayer. We receive direction through prayer. We can bless others through prayer and smooth their paths in life. Through this we gain charity and true love for our fellow men. (Here Lincoln would argue with me that we can't just pray, we must also do - I agree!) I believe if we are truly sincere in our desires to make good choices in keeping with Heavenly Father's greater vision for our lives that He will provide guidance and our decisions made in good faith will be a part of our instruction, learning and growth.
10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 112:10)
24 Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another. (Doctrine and Covenants | Section 90:24)
1 comment:
This is beautiful - both the scriptures and your thoughts.
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