Asking in Faith

Elder Bednar of the quorum of the twelve apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints states, " Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work." The scriptures state many times the attitude of prayer and are filled with examples of meaningful prayer. We know that prayer is the way by which we can communicate with God, our Heavenly Father. Prayer is how we receive answers, direction and warning. Prayer is humbling and requires faith.

There are examples in The Bible as well as The Book of Mormon that teach us how to pray. An example well known by many of the members of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is found in James 1:5, the scripture that invited the boy Joseph Smith to ask God, which church was true. It states, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering” (James 1:5–6). Here we learn that we must ask in faith and not doubt that God will guide us to what we should do. Concerning faith, the prophet Joseph Smith said, "Faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth” (Lectures on Faith, 3). Thus, faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power. Understanding that faith is a principle of action and of power inspires us to exercise our moral agency in compliance with gospel truth, invites the redeeming and strengthening powers of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives, and enlarges the power within us whereby we are agents unto ourselves (see D&C 58:28).

This past weekend I had yet another powerful experience with prayer. As I took what I've learned from Moroni in The Book of Mormon, and prayed with "all energy of heart" and exercised my faith that Heavenly Father would provide some help and comfort; I felt the healing powers of prayer. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers and if we will commit to always act on the promptings that he gives us, our relationship with Him will continuously grow.