June 11, 2010
How does God answer prayers?
Someone asked, “How do I know when my prayers are answered?” It’s a good question, so I think I’ll let the scriptures answer it.
First things first. Answers to pray usually come quietly. That’s why we need to take the time to study the scriptures, ponder, and listen. Check out this description from the Book of Mormon:
“… It was not a voice of thunder, neither was it a voice of a great tumultuous noise, but behold, it was a still voice of perfect mildness, as if it had been a whisper, and it did pierce even to the very soul” (Helaman 5:30)
Sometimes we try to categorize spiritual feelings within the five senses we’re most familiar with–sight, smell, touch, taste, sound–but spiritual feelings fall into their own category (a sixth sense!). The Lord told a young man, Oliver Cowdery, to just listen to the feelings he had in his heart and the thoughts he had in his mind:
“Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart. Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3).
Sometimes we get our answer and know if something is right (or wrong) by trying it out. Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, compared experimenting with gospel truths to planting a seed: you plant the seed, you nurture it, and you find out VERY quickly if it’s a good seed or a bad seed. You can “experiment upon the word” by following the prophet, reading the Book of Mormon, and seeing what happens.
“Experiment upon my words . . . Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me” (Alma 32:27-28).
Finally, not all answers come as pillars of light or burning bushes. Oliver Cowdery was a schoolteacher who left his profession to follow the Prophet Joseph Smith. A few months later, he was questioning his initial decision when the Lord reminded him of the original answer to his prayer:
“Cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things. Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:22-23).
It takes practice to recognize answers to prayer, but it’s definitely worth the effort. I’m still not the best at it, but sometimes I sit down with a pen and paper and say, “OK, Heavenly Father, I’m ready. Talk to me.” And then I tell Him about my life, I LISTEN, and write the ideas that come. I’m consistently amazed at how He really does answer.
For further study, read a modern-day apostle’s advice: “Recognizing Answers to Prayer” by Richard G. Scott
OR… “Eight Ways God Can Speak to You” by Dallin H. Oaks (highly recommend it).
June 2, 2010
Got prayer?
Another question for my audience: Have you ever had a cool experience with prayer? Do you believe in prayer? How do you feel when you pray? Have you ever wondered how to make your prayers more meaningful? (OK, that was a lot of questions.)
June 1, 2010
Yes, prayer is real
I was working my usual shift at the Hill Cumorah Visitors’ Center in Palmyra, New York when the young man called to ask for our hours. A normal phone call took an interesting turn when I asked if there was anything else I could do for him. “Yes,” he said. “I’m not a member of your church, and I just got a Book of Mormon. I’m not sure what to do with it. Is there anything in there about faith?”
That one question sparked an hour and a half phone conversation as I told him about how faith is trusting in God. I told him one of the best ways to increase his faith was to talk with Heavenly Father (God), the same way you’d build trust with anyone by getting to know them better. The way we talk to Him is prayer. Half way through the conversation, this young man said, “I’ve never felt like this before. I feel… hungry!”
I knew exactly what he was talking about, because I’d felt it too–the hunger to know if there was a God and if He really cares; if we are His children and if He has a purpose for our lives. I think everyone feels that hunger at one point or another. I think people don’t always know where to turn for those answers. Myself, I’ve found truth as I’ve gotten on my knees and talked to Heavenly Father in prayer.
My prayers are not always pretty. Sometimes I am grateful for all He has given me. Other times I cry and ask to know why this is happening. I plead for Him to lighten my burdens. I also plead for understanding and acceptance of the trials in my life. And, because prayer is a two-way conversation, He has answered me in real and wonderful ways. It’s not always in the way I expect. Often it’s just a feeling of calm or security… there’s not always words to describe it, but prayer is real. God is listening because He’s our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ is our advocate.
Back to my story about the young man who called the visitors’ center. I taught him to pray that day–to say, “Dear Heavenly Father,” to talk openly with a loving Father in Heaven, and to close, “In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” Even though we were thousands of miles apart (he in Washington State, I in New York) we both felt God’s love as he said that prayer. Prayer is real. Try it out.
