"Will prayers that do not demand much of your thought merit much attention from our Heavenly Father? When you find yourself getting into a routine with your prayers, step back and think. Meditate for a while on the things for which you really are grateful. Look for them. They don't have to be grand or glorious. Sometimes we should express our gratitude for the small and simple things like the scent of the rain, the taste of your favorite food, or the sound of a loved one's voice. Thinking of things we are grateful for is a healing balm. It helps us get outside ourselves. It changes our focus from our pains and our trials to the abundance of this beautiful world we live in."--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Improving Our Prayers," Liahona, Aug. 2004, 18
One of the many blessings that we know of in The LDS church is the power of prayer. Talking to our Heavenly Father is something that we can do everyday of our lives. He wants to hear from us. He wants to know what we are going through. He wants to help. I know that prayers are answered and that simple questions can turn into faith builders. I also know that saying the same thing over and over is easy to do. As a missionary, I pray all the time. It is very easy to get into a groove of saying the same thing over and over. Hearing the same song on the radio is kinda fun at first, it's new and oh so catchy. But as it gets played several times within the hour it begins to get old... fast. I don't believe that God will get annoyed with our prayers. I know that he wants to hear from us and even if it's the same prayer He is glad that we are talking to Him. But as I have prayed more and more. I have realized that I have so much to be greatful for. I have a body, I have the health that allows me to do the things I enjoy, and I have loving family and friends who are always there to support me. My invitation is to not be so redundant, to think, to enjoy your time you get to talk to God. That time is for you. Listen, words don't always have to be said, silence is okay. I am greatful for my opportunity to pray. I am thankful for God's love and His concern with my life. Let us all pray and really gain a testimony of its power.
Thank your for this. I have a hard time not being repetiscious in my prayers but this has helped immensly. I found your facebook and blog through your mom whom I work with in Nursery out in Welton Ward. I knew from her testimoney of you, one I don't think she realizes made a difference for me, that following your mission progress could help me. I have been a member my whole life but had a period of inactivity for about five years and through my time in the Welton ward and the wards and my parents faith and prayers I am coming back. I really enjoy your mother and how her eyes shine when she speaks of you and your brother. She's amazing. Thanks again for this post it really helps me personally.
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