I checked out all the scriptures pertaining to prayer in the scriptures and learned the following things. We should (1 Nephi 18:3) pray oft; (2 Nephi 4:24) wax bold in mighty prayer; (2 Nephi 32:8) be taught by the Spirit how to pray; (2 Nephi 32:9) pray always and not faint; (Omni 1:26) continue in fasting and prayer; (Alma 26:22) pray without ceasing; (Alma 34:27) have our hearts drawn out in prayer continually; (Alma 36:13) pray in private; (Alma 45:1) pray to give thanks; (3 Nephi 12:44) pray for our enemies; (3 Nephi 17:15) pray always; (3 Nephi 18:16) follow Jesus' example; (3 Nephi 18:21) pray in our families; (3 Nephi 19:24) pray without multiplying words; (3 Nephi 20:1) continue to pray in our heart; (3 Nephi 27:1) unite in prayer with others; (Moroni 7:6, 9, 48) pray with real intent and with all the energy of heart; (Moroni 8:26) pray with diligence; (Isaiah 56:7) be joyful in prayer; (D&C 136:28) praise; (Matt 21:22) be believing; (1 Cor 14:15) pray with Spirit and understanding; (Jas 4:3) pray not amiss, to consume it upon our lust; (D&C 19:28) pray vocally.
We are promised certain things: (Rom 8:26) We don't know what to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes with groanings that cannot be uttered; (Luke 11:1) the Lord will teach us to pray; (2 Nephi 26:15) the prayer of the faithful will be heard.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Pray Continually
2 Nephi 33:3 Nephi prays for his people continually by day. He loves them and he knows his prayers will bless them as much as they are willing to accept.
V.4 "The Lord will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people." Surely that applies to our families. When we pray for them, the Lord blesses them and us. Consecrate means sanctify, make holy, dedicate.
V.4 "The Lord will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people." Surely that applies to our families. When we pray for them, the Lord blesses them and us. Consecrate means sanctify, make holy, dedicate.
Pray Always
2 Nephi 32:9 tells us to pray always. Don't perform anything unto the Lord save in the first place you shall pray unto the Father. We need to pray privately and in all our meetings.
The Spirit Teaches Us to Pray
2 Nephi 32:8 The Spirit tells (prompts) us to pray. It also teaches us how to pray. Jesus' disciples in the new world prayed to Him. 3 Nephi 19:24 They were given what they should pray, for they were "filled with desire."
Search Knowledge
2 Nephi 32:7 Nephi mourns "they will not search knowledge." He has knowledge that he's not allowed to share. Knowledge can't be poured into us as from a pitcher. We much search for it -- dig, research, ponder, study.
"...nor understand great knowledge..." Sometimes great knowledge is given us "as plain as word can be", but we "esteem it as naught." We're too hard-hearted, or too busy, or too preoccupied, too lazy, too complacent, too prideful. Our ears are stopped and our eyes are blinded.
"...nor understand great knowledge..." Sometimes great knowledge is given us "as plain as word can be", but we "esteem it as naught." We're too hard-hearted, or too busy, or too preoccupied, too lazy, too complacent, too prideful. Our ears are stopped and our eyes are blinded.
All Things What Ye Should Do
2 Nephi 32:3 "Feast upon the words of Christ..." How do we feast upon His words? Study & ponder the scriptures. Listen in church meetings and in the temple. Feasting is more than just partaking. It's not just devouring. It's savoring and enjoying and not skimping. A great banquet is available. I need to learn to feast.
"... the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." Verse 3 says that the words of Christ will tell us these things, but in verse 5 it says that the Holy Ghost will show us all things what we should do. V. 3 says "tell"; v.5 says "show". If angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and speak the words of Christ - what does that mean?
Could this relate to hearing in your mind and in your heart? Tell and show?
"... the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do." Verse 3 says that the words of Christ will tell us these things, but in verse 5 it says that the Holy Ghost will show us all things what we should do. V. 3 says "tell"; v.5 says "show". If angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost and speak the words of Christ - what does that mean?
Could this relate to hearing in your mind and in your heart? Tell and show?
Loved of the Lord
D&C 124:15, 20
Hyrum Smith and George Miller are loved of the Lord. Hyrum is told he is loved because he "loveth that which is right before me." George is loved for "the love which he has to my testimony."
I, too, love the Lord. I love His work, His Gospel. I want to be loved of the Lord.
Hyrum Smith and George Miller are loved of the Lord. Hyrum is told he is loved because he "loveth that which is right before me." George is loved for "the love which he has to my testimony."
I, too, love the Lord. I love His work, His Gospel. I want to be loved of the Lord.
Stewardship
D&C 124:14 This scripture tells us about a man named Robert Thompson: "But let him remember that his astewardship will I require at his hands."
The Lord also holds me accountable for my stewardship. What is it at this point of my life that the Lord expects of me? My children are raised. We've served a mission. I try to carry out my callings to the best of my ability. What does He need of me right now?
The Lord also holds me accountable for my stewardship. What is it at this point of my life that the Lord expects of me? My children are raised. We've served a mission. I try to carry out my callings to the best of my ability. What does He need of me right now?
Come Unto Him
2 Nephi 26:33 Nephi tells us to come unto Him and partake of His goodness.
How do we come unto Him? We do it in our prayers, in our thoughts, in our actions. We try to emulate Him. We come unto Him in service to His children, in fasting, in reading of Him, in pondering in His house (the church and the temple). We do it by partaking to the sacrament, by taking His name upon us.
How do we partake of His goodness? Is this a commandment or a reward? Or is it both? We can feast at His table. We can live the Gospel. We can attend our meetings and savor the Spirit. We can find joy in service. Find joy in day-to-day living of the Gospel.
How do we come unto Him? We do it in our prayers, in our thoughts, in our actions. We try to emulate Him. We come unto Him in service to His children, in fasting, in reading of Him, in pondering in His house (the church and the temple). We do it by partaking to the sacrament, by taking His name upon us.
How do we partake of His goodness? Is this a commandment or a reward? Or is it both? We can feast at His table. We can live the Gospel. We can attend our meetings and savor the Spirit. We can find joy in service. Find joy in day-to-day living of the Gospel.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Feasting on the words of Christ
Studying the scriptures has always been a bit of an adventure for me. I've tried for years to read and study every day, but with mixed results. I find just reading is wonderful and uplifting, but I don't know that I could describe that as "feasting upon the word of Christ" (2 Nephi 32: 3).
Right now I'm reading the Book of Mormon (for the umpteenth time) as well as finishing up the Doctrine and Covenants. I have started a journal for the thoughts and ideas that come to me as I try to ponder more about each verse and think about how it applies to my life. Sometimes these are only questions without answers. Some are brief, some are longer. This could be fun!
Right now I'm reading the Book of Mormon (for the umpteenth time) as well as finishing up the Doctrine and Covenants. I have started a journal for the thoughts and ideas that come to me as I try to ponder more about each verse and think about how it applies to my life. Sometimes these are only questions without answers. Some are brief, some are longer. This could be fun!
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