Ensign, General Conference. April 2008; “I long have been impressed with the truth that meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work. Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer, as “a form of work…is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings” (Bible Dictionary, “Prayer,” 753). We press forward and persevere in the consecrated work of prayer, after we say “amen,” by acting upon the things we have expressed to Heavenly Father.” – David A. Bednar
1 Timothy 2:1; “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”
Romans 8:14-16, 26; “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”
James 4:2-3; “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.”
No matter what I post here today about prayer it’s sure to fall short of all the beautiful commentaries of better spoken people who have devoted their lives to this subject matter. The one thing I’m sure of is how I’ve cherished my prayer times with the Lord.
I’ve always seen prayer as a comforting time. If we’re hurried during the day stopping to pray for our food affords us the time to take a deep breath and pause. I look forward to my morning prayers because I get to have some alone time with my favorite person – Jesus. At night when I pray I find it comforting when I talk to Him and thank Him for my life and the breath He gave me that day.
If I’m in need of something or have a heavy heart about someone else and kneel to pray I’m definitely not thinking that I’m performing a work. There have been countless times when the Holy Spirit has spoken to me while I’m in prayer by bringing scripture to mind or reminding me of events that have taken place.
What part of that is work?
When I mess up and stop during the day to seek forgiveness I know it’s not always easy to admit I’m wrong, but find the longer I don’t do it the more uncomfortable I become because the HS isn’t going to allow any unrighteousness to take place. This is how He works and prayer is never a chore or “work”. If that’s work then we’re in deep trouble.
The problem with the Mormon mindset is they’ve been tricked into believing that every time they move a finger to do anything it’s because they’ve been commanded to do so. Being tied to the ball and chain of works and lies will do that to a person. When we live under the banner of grace and freedom no such thoughts are entertained as everything we do is because we feel God has led us to do those things and not demanded it of us.
The mark of a Christian is he who goes to the Lord in prayer to have an open line of communication. Being a Christian means you’re in a personal relationship with Jesus and we can go to Him without fear or condemnation.
If we approach the throne of grace under the auspice that we’re only doing so because it’s another work we must perform in our day, how does that ever allow us to be totally at peace with God? Do you force your child to perform in some manner before they approach you to have a conversation?
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