I remember when we first moved to Casper, Wyoming, six years ago. My first speaking assignment in Sacrament Meeting was on the topic of Prayer. I knew I was given this assignment because I needed some help in this area.
I have always had a testimony of the power of prayer. Throughout my life I have had many prayers answered in special ways. I have just lacked in the consistency of daily, personal prayer. It is so much easier to pray when life is hard and easy to slack off when things are going well for me. Plus I always complained, "Why do I have to pray when Heavenly Father already knows my thoughts and needs?"
Unfortunately my assignment to study and speak on prayer in Sacrament Mtg. wasn't good enough because it didn't even change me. Six years later, I am just now beginning to LOVE prayer and look forward to my consistent, daily, personal prayers with my Heavenly Father. As I realized this change recently, I had to look inside and figure out what finally converted me to devotion of prayer after 30 years of my life!
An Ensign article in April 2011, "I Need Thee Every Hour" by Elder Brent H. Nielson, helped me. He put it so simply: Prayer is just speaking to Heavenly Father.
I have heard so many talks on prayer in General Conferences about how we should pray, etc. that made me unsure of my prayers, wondering if I was doing them correctly. When Elder Nielson was able to make it so simple, that helped me gain confidence to pray more. All I need to do is to speak to Heavenly Father, regularly and sincerely.
Another thought from the article said, "When we become casual in our relationship with Deity and as we minimize the importance of constant communication through prayer, we may become confused, feel overwhelmed and even be deceived."
I definitely don't enjoy those types of feelings, which motivated me even more to strive for consistent prayer.
Then Elder Nielson pointed out the Savior's life and how often he prayed to Heavenly Father. "If the Savior of the world felt the need for constant prayer, how much greater is our need?"
That information gave me the desire and confidence enough to start praying more regularly. But it still was a struggle at times.
Then, during the ChangeMaker Bootcamp at the beginning of this year, I learned about the different levels of frequency we travel on in this life... ranging from 0 (darkness) to 50 (light). The higher the frequency level we are on, the more light we have, the easier life seems to flow, we are more creative and find answers that we need, etc. And it dawned on me that Heavenly Father and Jesus are the greatest, highest, purest energy source there is. And if I want to raise my energy level, what better way to do it than to connect with the highest energy source, my Father. That knowledge is what has secured my love and habit of constant, heartfelt prayer. I want light. I want and need positive energy in my life and I can get it through tapping in to that source every day, any time I need/want.
I started waking up at least an hour before my children every morning so I could have complete privacy and quietness to spend time with my Heavenly Father, focus on Him and study the word of God.
This devoted time each morning has been the HUGEST blessing in my life. My day go a million times better when I am able to wake up calmly, connect to Heavenly Father and feel of his light and love and build my foundation of the day on truth and peace. I feel his spirit so much more. I have received many inspirations through prayer, the scriptures and studying the conference talks each morning since I started this morning devotional time. I know God is there and is listening and teaching and guiding me.
Heavenly Father works line upon line. So each day I am anxious to spend that time with Him so I can receive "another line".
I love my Heavenly Father. He is so wonderful. His blessings far outweigh any thing this world has to offer. His peace, guidance and love is most joyous to my soul. My testimony has increased. My love and reverence has increased for Him. My faith and confidence in Him has increased. He is ALWAYS there for me.
If I take the time to come to Him, I surely find Him.
D&C 19:38 "Pray always and I will pour out my spirit upon you and great shall be your blessing--yea, even more than if you should obtain treasures of earth..."
