I am grateful to have been taught the importance of prayer since I was a little girl. I always believed that I was a child of God, and that my Heavenly Father really loved me and knew me. Many of you already know that I was abused as a child, by my grandfather. After I was married and had my first baby, I finally broke the silence of my abuse and decided that the next generation ( my children ) were going to be safe. The generational chain of abuse finally was broken. It has been going on for at least 3 other generation, but I just couldn’t bear the thought of my kids being hurt at all… and so I prayed hard to be strong enough to stand up and speak out against it. Now from that time on, I have spoken to, counseled with, and encouraged many other victims to become survivors. I am always sadden when I hear someone say “ how can you believe in a God, who let you get hurt like that?” I never really saw it like that. I do know that hard things and bad things happen to everybody…rich or poor, good or bad and so on. But I know that my Heavenly Father was well aware of me throughout those years, and gave me the strength to not only survive it… but to grow and be strong enough to break the chain of incest! I never for one minute thought He didn’t love me or had forgotten me. My prayers were something that gave me hope and strength and to this day…it has been a blessing and a gift in my life, and the life of my family.
I read this article today about prayer and wanted to share part of it with you tonight. Partly because it shows that nothing is too little or too silly, or unimportant to your Heavenly Father. He loves us and wants us to be happy, that I know for sure. Anyway, I hope after you read this, you will remember how important you are to your Heavenly Father, and that you will be ever grateful for this gift we call Prayer!
Good night dear friends, and thank you for all the prayers that you have sent Heavenward in my behalf! I felt them, and they did make a big difference in my life and the lives of family!
The Privilege of Prayer by J. Devn Cornish
“Prayer is one of the most precious gifts of God to man.
God our Father is not a feeling or an idea or a force. He is a holy person who, as the scriptures teach, has a face and hands and a glorious immortal body. He is real, He knows each of us individually, and He loves us, every one. He wants to bless us.
Jesus said:
“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
“Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:9–11).
Perhaps a personal experience will help to illustrate the point. When I was a young resident physician at Boston Children’s Hospital, I worked long hours and traveled between the hospital and our home in Watertown, Massachusetts, mostly by bicycle since my wife and young family needed our car. One evening I was riding home after a long period in the hospital, feeling tired and hungry and at least a bit discouraged. I knew I needed to give my wife and four small children not only my time and energy when I got home but also a cheery attitude. I was, frankly, finding it hard to just keep pedaling.
My route would take me past a fried chicken shop, and I felt like I would be a lot less hungry and tired if I could pause for a piece of chicken on my way home. I knew they were running a sale on thighs or drumsticks for 29 cents each, but when I checked my wallet, all I had was one nickel. As I rode along, I told the Lord my situation and asked if, in His mercy, He could let me find a quarter on the side of the road. I told Him that I didn’t need this as a sign but that I would be really grateful if He felt to grant me this kind blessing.
I began watching the ground more intently but saw nothing. Trying to maintain a faith-filled but submissive attitude as I rode, I approached the store. Then, almost exactly across the street from the chicken place, I saw a quarter on the ground. With gratitude and relief, I picked it up, bought the chicken, savored every morsel, and rode happily home.
In His mercy, the God of heaven, the Creator and Ruler of all things everywhere, had heard a prayer about a very minor thing. One might well ask why He would concern Himself with something so small. I am led to believe that our Heavenly Father loves us so much that the things that are important to us become important to Him, just because He loves us. How much more would He want to help us with the big things that we ask, which are right? “
“To those who are struggling with challenges and difficulties large and small, prayer is the provider of spiritual strength; it is the passport to peace. Prayer is the means by which we approach our Father in Heaven, who loves us. Speak to Him in prayer and then listen for the answer. Miracles are wrought through prayer” ~ Thomas S. Monson
"As we pass through the trials of life, let us keep an eternal perspective, let us not complain, let us become even more prayerful, let us serve others, and let us forgive one another. As we do this, 'all things [will] work together for good to [us] that love God' (Romans 8:28)." ~ James B. Martino
"He [the Lord] will always hear your prayers and will invariably answer them. However, His answers will seldom come while you are on your knees praying, even when you may plead for an immediate response. Rather, He will prompt you in quiet moments when the Spirit can most effectively touch your mind and heart. Hence, you should find periods of quiet time to recognize when you are being instructed and strengthened." ~ Richard G. Scott
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