Tammie Related the following story to me a few weeks ago. Climbing the stairs yet again that day she looked up & noticed Mathew standing at the top with an unusually pensive look on his face. Curious, she asked simply, “what are you thinking?” His answer has far more meaning than he intended. He replied sincerely, “just thinking about what I want to think about.” Maybe it was because he had ample time on his hands so that the luxury of prioritizing the subjects of his ponderings came naturally. Knowing him it may also have been deliberate. In either case the desire to spend his time effectively is impressive. What a great kid.
President Eyring in his book “Because he First Loved Us” tells of attending a meeting along side a fellow with impressively marked scriptures. This man had studied topics and marked each topic in a specific color w/ corresponding tabs at the edge of each page. After asking the Man to explain his system & reasoning Pre. Eyring found himself purchasing a new set of scriptures so that he too could effectively study specific topics. He continued, “..it took more than a few days and more than a few prayers for me to know the topics that would open the scriptures anew for me.” He prepared himself than asked the Lord for the most beneficial focus of his time. Before beginning he like Matt chose what to think about and study. Could this be one of those things about which the Lord wants to tell us but cannot because we do not ask?
I believe that Matt was thinking deeper than he realized. Without direction it is hard to anticipate a destination. I hope to follow my son’s example & find more meaning in my study.
For What it’s Worth
Ryan
Sunday, August 3, 2008
The Soul's sincere desire
In each of our lives there are pivotal people. These people, perhaps without even being aware of it, change us and make us better. Sister Haws, my mission Presidents wife, affected me in such a manner. 15 plus years latter I remember her talks and council while most of what was shared by my President has melted into obscurity. In reference to today’s theme Sister Haws once spoke of a time early in their married life when they were going to school, trying to start a family and budgets were tight. President Haws needed a typewriter. I don’t remember what lead up to the moment but he determined to pray for one. He retired to the bedroom, knelt and, prayed. A few minutes later came out opened the want adds and there found with very little searching exactly what they needed. The right machine, at the right price, somewhere near by. As amazing as that experience was for them what I remember most from Sister Haws’ talk that day was her next statement. With mild frustration she stated that that is how prayer works for her husband, while for her it has never been that easy nor so clearly defined. I could & still do relate to her. Prayer is not something that comes easily to me. Crystal clear answers are even harder. Only once do I remember having actual words placed in my mind and even then I misinterpreted the extent of their meaning. My greatest challenge in prayer is to hear and recognize the Lords hand for what it is. Proper prayer, given in meekness, with pure intent will be answered. Weather or not we understand the answer, the Lord will act in our lives and on our hearts. Much of my understanding of prayer is beautifully expressed in hymn #145, Prayer is the souls sincere desire. Its words have returned to my mind again and again these past weeks. I will not sing it for you nor recite it in its entirety. I will quote passages then try to explain their meaning as I understand it.
Prayer is the souls sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed.
How often in communication, particularly verbal communication, do we speak the unadulterated truth? Do we not many times put a little spin on our presentation? Without lying don’t we try to sell our position? Maybe you don’t implicitly trust those around you and so you protect yourself by not sharing or exposing your true feelings. In Prayer this posturing for protection & personal gain is absent. Our omnipotent Heavenly Father already knows the thoughts & intents of our heart. We cannot lie to or deceive him. Perfect prayer gives voice to our soul. It may be easier to do so in private. There it may be expressed out loud or through our thoughts & feelings. I find comfort in knowing that even when I cannot put words to my emotions the lord understands. The spirit communicates with emotions, that is why it speaks all languages to all peoples. The lord understands & speaks to our hearts. Imagine, if you can, being face to face with Jesus Christ. In that moment what is important? What are you thinking, feeling? Isn’t that your souls sincere desire? Try praying for that.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try…
Complex wordy prayers mean, if anything, less to God than those humbly given. When was the last time you listened to a young child pray? In prayer as in speech they often surprise us with the things they say. There is no hypocrisy, no ego. They pray as they live, simply, honestly. This is yet another example of why it is necessary for us to become as little children.
Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice returning from his ways,… While angles in their songs rejoice and cry, behold, he prays.
Because we are human & therefore somewhat less than perfect we all sin. The question therefore is not will we sin but how will we respond, how will we react? Will we seek to hide our wrongs? To cover them up? Will we turn from God, deny him in a vain attempt to avoid repentance? Or will we humble ourselves, acknowledge our dependence on the Lord and seek him in earnest prayer. Alma the younger upon rising from his 3 day slumber described his state as being in the gall of bitterness he later indicated that he was racked with eternal torment because of his sins. In this dark abyss he thought to cry unto God. He prayed, asking Jesus to have mercy on him. “And what joy and what marvelous light (he) did behold; yea “his” soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was “his” pain.” There are many stories of repentance but few are as poignant as that of Alma & the sons of Mosiah. Alma’s first act in repentance was to pray. That is where we must start. Ask for forgiveness, ask for support & comfort. Pleade with God that he will guide you in wisdoms’ paths.
O thou by whom we come to god, the life the truth the way, the path of prayer thyself hast trod; Lord teach us how to pray.
Teach us how to pray. How does he do that? Does he do that? We have his prayer as recorded in the bible for an example but is there something more than that? In 3 Nephi we read the account of Christ’s visit to America. He came & went for several days. On one of his visits he commanded the multitude to kneel down and that the disciples should pray. Christ then went a little way off & prayed for them, and thanked God for them. When he returned the apostles were still praying “and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray….” Isn’t that intriguing? It was given them what they should pray. I think that is a great way to learn how to pray. Isn’t that how we all began anyhow, with someone older & more experienced whispering in our ear? The bible dictionary describes prayer as "the act by which the will of the Father & the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of god but to secure for ourselves and for others the blessings that god is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking." It sounds to me like earmarks are an eternal principle. The Lord has blessings held in reserve just waiting for us to ask the right question. So sometimes he helps us, he tells us, it can be given us what to say. Teach us, show us how to pray.
Prayer is the medium by which we are able to personally approach our loving father in heaven. We can speak to him, share with him our joys & sorrows. He listens and answers. Throughout his life Joseph Smith would turn to god in prayer to seek the help & guidance he needed. A church member recalled hearing him pray in Kirtland, Ohio, at a time of great personal difficulty: “never until then had I heard a man address his maker as though he was present listening as a kind father would listen to the sorrows of a dutiful child…. There was no ostentation, no raising of the voice as by enthusiasm, but a plain conversational tone, as a man would address a present friend. It appeared to me as though, in case the veil were taken away, I could see the lord standing facing his humblest of all servants I had ever seen.” I want to have that kind of a relationship with my Father and his son, my savior & eldest brother. The scriptures say that when he comes we shall see him as he is and we will know him because we will be like him. I do hope that that is the case. There is no better a man to emulate.
D&C 112:10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.
For What It’s Worth
Ryan
Prayer is the souls sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed.
How often in communication, particularly verbal communication, do we speak the unadulterated truth? Do we not many times put a little spin on our presentation? Without lying don’t we try to sell our position? Maybe you don’t implicitly trust those around you and so you protect yourself by not sharing or exposing your true feelings. In Prayer this posturing for protection & personal gain is absent. Our omnipotent Heavenly Father already knows the thoughts & intents of our heart. We cannot lie to or deceive him. Perfect prayer gives voice to our soul. It may be easier to do so in private. There it may be expressed out loud or through our thoughts & feelings. I find comfort in knowing that even when I cannot put words to my emotions the lord understands. The spirit communicates with emotions, that is why it speaks all languages to all peoples. The lord understands & speaks to our hearts. Imagine, if you can, being face to face with Jesus Christ. In that moment what is important? What are you thinking, feeling? Isn’t that your souls sincere desire? Try praying for that.
Prayer is the simplest form of speech that infant lips can try…
Complex wordy prayers mean, if anything, less to God than those humbly given. When was the last time you listened to a young child pray? In prayer as in speech they often surprise us with the things they say. There is no hypocrisy, no ego. They pray as they live, simply, honestly. This is yet another example of why it is necessary for us to become as little children.
Prayer is the contrite sinner’s voice returning from his ways,… While angles in their songs rejoice and cry, behold, he prays.
Because we are human & therefore somewhat less than perfect we all sin. The question therefore is not will we sin but how will we respond, how will we react? Will we seek to hide our wrongs? To cover them up? Will we turn from God, deny him in a vain attempt to avoid repentance? Or will we humble ourselves, acknowledge our dependence on the Lord and seek him in earnest prayer. Alma the younger upon rising from his 3 day slumber described his state as being in the gall of bitterness he later indicated that he was racked with eternal torment because of his sins. In this dark abyss he thought to cry unto God. He prayed, asking Jesus to have mercy on him. “And what joy and what marvelous light (he) did behold; yea “his” soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was “his” pain.” There are many stories of repentance but few are as poignant as that of Alma & the sons of Mosiah. Alma’s first act in repentance was to pray. That is where we must start. Ask for forgiveness, ask for support & comfort. Pleade with God that he will guide you in wisdoms’ paths.
O thou by whom we come to god, the life the truth the way, the path of prayer thyself hast trod; Lord teach us how to pray.
Teach us how to pray. How does he do that? Does he do that? We have his prayer as recorded in the bible for an example but is there something more than that? In 3 Nephi we read the account of Christ’s visit to America. He came & went for several days. On one of his visits he commanded the multitude to kneel down and that the disciples should pray. Christ then went a little way off & prayed for them, and thanked God for them. When he returned the apostles were still praying “and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray….” Isn’t that intriguing? It was given them what they should pray. I think that is a great way to learn how to pray. Isn’t that how we all began anyhow, with someone older & more experienced whispering in our ear? The bible dictionary describes prayer as "the act by which the will of the Father & the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of god but to secure for ourselves and for others the blessings that god is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking." It sounds to me like earmarks are an eternal principle. The Lord has blessings held in reserve just waiting for us to ask the right question. So sometimes he helps us, he tells us, it can be given us what to say. Teach us, show us how to pray.
Prayer is the medium by which we are able to personally approach our loving father in heaven. We can speak to him, share with him our joys & sorrows. He listens and answers. Throughout his life Joseph Smith would turn to god in prayer to seek the help & guidance he needed. A church member recalled hearing him pray in Kirtland, Ohio, at a time of great personal difficulty: “never until then had I heard a man address his maker as though he was present listening as a kind father would listen to the sorrows of a dutiful child…. There was no ostentation, no raising of the voice as by enthusiasm, but a plain conversational tone, as a man would address a present friend. It appeared to me as though, in case the veil were taken away, I could see the lord standing facing his humblest of all servants I had ever seen.” I want to have that kind of a relationship with my Father and his son, my savior & eldest brother. The scriptures say that when he comes we shall see him as he is and we will know him because we will be like him. I do hope that that is the case. There is no better a man to emulate.
D&C 112:10 Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.
For What It’s Worth
Ryan
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