Sunday Lesson, Feb 26th

Teachings for our Times: Prayer

Sunday’s lesson was based on two conference talks that discussed the topic of prayer. The teacher started by asking us to ponder what prayer feels like. Carol F. McConkie shared in her talk from October 2016 General Conference entitled “The Soul’s Sincere Desire” that prayer can and should be a powerful force in our lives. It allows us to develop faith and opens the way for us to receive blessings from above. The amazing thing about prayer is that is a gift that is extended to everyone. Matt 7:7-8 reads, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

The power is in our hands. If we chose not to pray—for whatever reason—we cannot have the blessings associated with prayer. Imagine if Joseph Smith had not taken the time to pray that morning in 1805. Like Joseph, there are many blessings we can receive only as we pray in faith. Sister McConkie said, “For us, miraculous healing, powerful protection, divine knowledge, liberating forgiveness, and precious peace are among the answers that come when we offer up a “soul’s sincere desire” in faith.”

The most powerful example of prayer is our Savior, Jesus Christ. He entered that garden of Gethsemane, feeling so much pain and agony. Three times he prayed that the cup be removed, but each time He also prayed, “Father, thy will be done.” We know that cup was not removed from Him, but as Sister McConkie teaches, “He was strengthened to go forward and fulfill His divine mission to prepare for our salvation”.

Have we ever likewise pleaded that a burden be removed and it was not? How did we feel? Angry? Abandoned? Doubtful? We need to remember at these times that sometimes we will not be removed from a trial we face but we can receive strength and comfort to endure. These blessings will come through faithful prayer, seeking the Lord’s will.

Sincere prayer is a great blessing but it will take the effort. Through this gift we can draw closer to our Father in Heaven. Remember He is listening, as Elder Uceda states in his talk, “The Lord Jesus Christ Teaches Us to Pray”, the very moment we begin to pray. Come to Him in prayer, because He will always listen and will shower peace and blessings up on us as we reach out to him with sincerity and humility.