1. Preparing for Each Day In this day of cell phones, smartphones, and other electronic devices we use to keep track of our appointments and future endeavors, I ask you a question in the form of a line in one of my favorite hymns: “Did You Think to Pray?”With information and answers at our fingertips we must realize that not all answers can be searched on the Internet but must be searched within our hearts and souls. One way we can accomplish this is through prayer. Whether it is amongst fellows or quiet personal prayer, Heavenly Father provides us with answers, strength, promptings, or sometimes all of the above. 2. Our Constant Companion The gift of the Holy Ghost is a special one. Sometimes it is a small voice, sometimes a spiritual feeling, and sometimes it is an ability to see through all the clouds of uncertainty and view the light of righteousness. In times of confusion we forget that we can find comfort, joy, and clarity through the promptings from the Holy Ghost. How do we strengthen our abilities, through living the Gospel, and through prayer. 3. Not All Prompting Happen Immediately Sometimes we expect immediate answers to our prayers and our promptings. In this world we look for instant answers or immediate information, this cannot be expected or should be. Faith of mind, body, and spirit is a growth processes that like a sapling, if attended to with love, patience, and diligence, it will grow. Your roots will become strong because they are planted in Gospel soil. Your branches will reach out for the light of truthfulness and righteousness. Your leaves will nourish you with the food of thought and love of the Savior, and shade you from the rains of problems that may dampen your mind and soul. 4. Gospel Study Will Strengthen Your Prayers We can always find time for our favorite hobbies or things that we like to do so why not include our studies in the Scriptures. It does not take much time but it does take diligence. If we can make for our favorite events, we can make time for Scripture study and make it another one of our favorite events. Whether it is personal time or a family meeting, Scripture study can bring us answers to the most complex issues that we may ponder. When our minds partake of those inspirational words, our bodies and souls are strengthened which in turn, strengthen our faith and our prompting and prayers. My Personal Experience Whenever I start my day, it is with prayer. While I am accomplishing my activities, it is with hymnal music playing in the background. As I partake of meals and my day ends, it is with prayer. With all that happens around us the best way to “ground” yourself is making prayer, scripture study, and hymnals part of your day. Being a musician, I love all genres of music and being a computer person, my life is full of complications sometimes. I find that when I am listening to hymnals in the background, my workday goes without problem and stress free. Hymns were used by every faith and culture to help with everyday tasks and they are also known as “little prayers to song”. They are inspirational and can bring you joy and happiness. Prayer is important for everything that we do. The power and influence of prayer has been proven not only by our faith but also by academia. Listen with Your Heart and Soul To continue to listen to those small voices and receiving promptings prayer, scripture study, and living the Gospel will open up your mind and soul to be a “receptor” of such wonderful gifts. Patience can be learned by studying the life of our Savior and using him as our example to form and lead our lives. Listening with our heart and soul requires us to step out of the “mortal” for just a moments and put ourselves in the “spiritual”. This article was inspired by a talk given in the Mormon General Conference by Boyd K. Packer, called Prayer and Promptings If you'd like to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you can click here to chat live with real missionaries!
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