Have you ever had the desire to pray but then felt that you couldn't? Maybe you felt you were unworthy to pray, maybe you felt that you didn't know what to say, or maybe you thought that God wouldn't listen to you or answer your prayer even if you did pray. These thoughts come from Satan, not from God.
God is our Father, He loves us, and He is always there for us. Not one of us is perfect, we are all equally sinners and need the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that the Lord guides us to seek Him through prayer, whereas Satan tries to stop us from praying.
The following scripture in The Book of Mormon came to my mind:
God is our Father, He loves us, and He is always there for us. Not one of us is perfect, we are all equally sinners and need the atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that the Lord guides us to seek Him through prayer, whereas Satan tries to stop us from praying.
The following scripture in The Book of Mormon came to my mind:
"And now, my beloved brethren, I perceive that ye ponder still in your hearts; and it grieveth me that I must speak concerning this thing. For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the devil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray" (2 Nephi 32:8).When we think or feel that we need to pray, those feels come from God. As Alma said from The Book of Mormon:
"And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;Remember, if you don't feel like praying then pray until you do feel like praying. It always works.
"But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering" (Alma 13:28).
This really struck a cord with me. As a member of the church who struggles to stay active (I’m married to a non-member) I often feel the urge to pray but then feel unworthy. There are so many areas that I need to work on that sometimes it feels like there’s no point it. I feel I’ve already disappointed Heavenly Father and it seems like all I do is say “thanks and can you help me.” However, in reading the scriptures you listed that is exactly the point of praying. Thanks for the great topic and the great scriptures. I think it’s time to add prayer to my daily life.
Thank you so much for sharing this.I think its very important for all us members of the church to know to continue praying no matter what challenges we go through. Thats exactly when we need to pray the most.
I know we ask the Father in Jesus name when praying over things; but; can we talk and pray directly to Jesus and get answers from Him?
Thank you Tammi and Anita for your comments, they’re very much appreciated. It’s always uplifting to know I’ve helped someone!
Keith: In my opinion, since Jesus and the Father are one, when we pray to the Father in the name of Jesus, it’s as if we’re praying to both of them. I could be wrong, but that’s one way to look at it. I would suggest focusing your prayers to the Father, knowing that because it is through Christ that we are able to come to the Father, that He too is aware of our needs.
Anyone else have thoughts on this?
Tammi – I thought I was the only one who felt that way and was going through what you are feeling & going through. I too am married to a non-member and feel at times unworthy to pray and just want to give up. Thank you for sharing and giving me the strength to not throw in the towel. If you can do it, so can I.
Thoughts of being different or “singled-out.” Much of my life i have felt different. It was Okay when I was successful and progressing; Latter-Day-Saints are always getting ahead, temporally and spiritually. So it was when I repented and came back to the Lord, so it seemed with all the imminently successful members around me. I would just write or read the BOM in another language. Now I am the one with no active children and single. As the ads say, God wants us to be individuals.” But my relationship with the Lord doesn’t need to change, and I am finally realizing that. He too was forsaken. Joseph didn’t listen to the spirit, like me at times, and went through his times of Hell. Even Nephi despaired. We have the Gospel and the fellowship of those who truly are Saints. Rachel and Tammi, you have your LDS lives, I have mine, we can all make it from here.