Light the World day 24 2017: Pray Always

"Ye must watch and pray always."

—3 Nephi 18:15

I had a prayer all morning that my talk in church would go well.  I was also asking for leadership to say what God would have me say.  I jumped over a section, and the bishop mentioned the section I skipped in fifth Sunday joint meeting.  It must have been that it was the Bishop's subject to cover, "In as much as ye have done it to the least of these, ye have done it unto me."  It is marvelous how things work out.  

Via Facebook there are many people to be praying for, people who have had recent surgery.  I pray for them as well.

Dec 8: Jesus Prayed for Others and So Can You

We can learn much from the Lord's prayer, as taught by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:

 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

 10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

 11 Give us this day our daily bread.

 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

This example of prayer, given at the Sermon on the Mount, is part of the basics of the gospel.  This prayer teaches us to address Heavenly father, and to recognize he is hallowed.  We should pray for the coming of His Kingdom.  We should pray over our efforts to earn daily bread.  He gives the increase.  Also we should use prayer as a step in seeking forgiveness, and we ourselves should be forgiving.  And we should pray not to be lead into temptation.  Finally this prayer concludes with another recognition of the omnipotent nature of God.  His is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever,  He end this prayer with amen.  today we end with "in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."  Christ is no longer with us, but we pray for His second kingdom.  I think that is part of praying for God's kingdom to come.  

The Triangle of the Gospel

I have hear this teaching a couple times in the past few months.  First was Simon McHenry in his homecoming talk, and then the youth speaker this week, Jeff Winn.  It is that in order to stay close to the church and keep your testimony strong three things are needed, prayer, scripture study and attending your church meetings.  It is really pretty simple.
Many years ago, Bishop Betts from Ballard taught the five-star points of the gospel, personal prayer, family prayer, personal scriptures, family scriptures, daily journal writing, and then a sixth for the center, weekly family home evening.  Bother pretty simple lessons, and basically suggesting the same thing.  How important it is to say our prayers regularly and read scriptures daily.  When I have struggled in my life, I am usually lacking one of these things.  I prayer regularly, but not a kneel -down kind of prayer which is often needed.  Scripture study is as needed for a lesson, or in relation to the current Ensign.

Member Missionary 8: Abish, Ammon, the Queen and King Lamoni

Abish, the queen and King Lamoni

Our Sister Missionaries visited this week, and expanded on the step of praying for missionary experiences.  They made it more specific:
Pray to hasten they work:
1. Pray for us as missionaries and our investigators.
2. Pray for your own missionary experiences.
3. Pray for courage to open your mouth.
4. Pray for the people you talk to to have have soft hearts.
5. Pray for the spirit to be there.

The sister presented their theme by telling the story of Abish, who when she saw Ammon, King Lamoni, his wife and many of his servants overcome by the spirit, she ran door to door telling everyone to come and see.  When they came there was much murmuring, but when the queen and Lamoni were restored, the heard the cause of their having collapsed, and some were converted to the gospel, and others were not.  But Abish ran telling everyone, because she didn't know whose heart would be touched.  Therefore we see the need to invite all to come and see, and some will accept and others will not be ready.

Three Part Series: Daily Bread: D. Todd Christofferson

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-012-daily-bread-pattern?lang=enghttp://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-013-daily-bread-experience?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-08-014-daily-bread-change?lang=eng

The apostle D. Todd Christofferson provides an important series of three videos on the importance of prayer, and looking to Jesus, the bread of Life, daily.  I think I can grow closer to Jesus through his example.  I have always lacked consistency in my prayers.  This video points to the importance of daily communication with God.  It is something I hope to commit to more fully.