Edified: Insights for LDS WomenEpisode 23 Making Our Prayers More Meaningful (Giving our prayers a seismic upgrade)
20 SEPT 2020

We all know the benefits of prayer and the power of prayer. We know prayer is an essential part of our spiritual growth and survival--especially during difficult times when prayer can truly be our “Balm of Gilead.” Prayer nourishes our soul, and it brings us into communion with the very God of the Universe, and into His presence. And yet, prayer is so simple that even a young child can do it. 

Well, if you’re anything like me, sometimes, because of the simplicity of prayer, we might take it for granted or forget how vital it is to the nourishment of our souls. In short, sometimes our prayers may need a seismic upgrade. 

I may not be able to deliver a message of seismic proportions, but I can share a couple of ideas for how we can make our personal prayers a little more meaningful. 

Take a moment to think about who you’re praying to, who you’re praying through, and who is praying with you. 

Elder Holland and President Eyring Face to Face 3 years ago ….. https://youtu.be/VZXEtcdVcRA?t=2270

Finding an appropriate balance between viewing our Heavenly Father as a loving, kind, caring, and involved Father, vs. viewing Him as the Almighty God of the Universe is something we might keep in mind as we approach our Heavenly Father in prayer. This is not suggesting in any way that our prayers should be stiff and unnatural. Not at all. They should be heartfelt, honest, and sincere. 

Pray with the intention of aligning your will with the Father’s. 

Pray in the Name of Jesus Christ

What exactly does this mean? 

In the Bible Dictionary, we read, “Christians are taught to pray in Christ’s name. We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ--when His words abide in us. We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart.”

I don’t know about you, but I have had to sit and really think this through. So let’s do a little unpacking.

One thing we know about the mind of Jesus is that He always submitted His will to the Father, and He prayed for unity--that we would be one with him as he and the Father are one. 

When His words abide in us …… Well, what words would those be? To me, this suggests that we pattern our prayers to Father after the way Christ prayed to the Father. our mind is the mind of Christ when we submit our will to the Father’s. Our wishes are the wishes of Christ when we seek unity with the Father, the Son, and our fellowman. Our words are the words of Christ when we pray in the manner that he prayed. 

Pray with the Holy Ghost as Your Partner

Recognizing that the companionship of the Holy Ghost as we pray truly makes prayer a team effort. We are literally engaging with all three members of the Godhead when we pray in this manner. 

DO ONE THING Invitation

This week, as you pray, try one (or all) of the following:

1. Remember who you’re praying to, who you’re praying through, and who is praying with you.
2. Seek to align your will with the will of the Father.
3. Find quiet time each day to kneel and pray vocally. 

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Music: "Keys of Moon, Be Inspired"

Until next time . . .