Prayer, A Commandment and a Blessing

Diana Martin shared this lovely lesson with us today, noting at the very beginning that probably we haven't though of prayer as a commandment. “Few things in life are as important as communing with Deity in prayer." President Smith taught that we should make the spirit of prayer a part of our daily life.  A prayer should be hovering around us throughout the day and as things arise, we can check in with the Lord. Being our Eternal Father, he is awaiting our communication.
The following prayer given by Pres, Smith shows how close he was to the Lord. Pres. Smith's wife had just died, leaving him with children to raise and all that goes with it, in addition to his church "job." “O my Father in heaven, help me, I pray Thee, to so live that I shall be worthy to meet her in eternal glory, to be united again with her, never again to be separated, throughout the countless ages of eternity. Help me to be humble, to trust in Thee. Give me wisdom and knowledge of heavenly things that I may have power to resist all evil and remain steadfast to Thy truth. O Lord, help me, grant unto me eternal life in thy Kingdom. Guide my footsteps in righteousness, give unto me Thy Whole Spirit. Help me to rear my precious babies that they shall remain pure and spotless throughout their lives, and when we have finished our course, take us unto thy Celestial Kingdom, we pray thee. In the name of our Redeemer, let it be, Amen."  In that heart-felt prayer, he acknowledged his needs and wants and feelings. He wanted to be worthy to be with his wife again, to be humble, have the power to resist evil, to trust in God and asked for help raising his children. Although you might not word your thoughts as he did, I am sure that you have worthy wants and needs that the Lord is waiting to hear you express.
Another story retold an incident where a doctor, his son and he made a wrong turn and ended up trying to find their way back home in a storm. A strong prayer for assistance and an admission of an error on his part, resulted in an abating in the storm, long enough to get clear of the storm before an onslaught of the storm again. Pres. Smith's testimony is shown in the way he appeals to the Lord for help in so many different things.
 During his service as an apostle, he often prayed for the members of the church and people of the world. “I pray that God our Heavenly Father will open the windows of heaven and pour out upon his children in all the earth those great and eternal blessings which will better their lot temporally and spiritually." It is easy to pray for yourself but how great it is to remember those who are in need who may be across this world or across the street.
Even past 90 years old, he prayed he would be able to endure well. I think that shows us again, that we are here to learn and there is no date at which any of us are relieved of that responsibility.
Jesus taught his disciples how to pray and showed by example. He commanded them to pray. Prayer is something we need, not that our Father needs us to bow down and worship him. Our prayers are for our benefit, to humbly go before him and ask for our sake,  which will give us strength and courage to increase our faith in Him, as the lesson states. If we humbly go before the Lord in prayer,  we can be guided by the Holy Spirit. It is through our faithfulness and obedience that we can come back to his presence.
When should we pray? "And a commandment I give unto them (that is, unto the parents in Zion), that he that observeth not his prayers before the Lord in the season thereof, let him be had in remembrance before the judge of my people.” [D&C 68:33.). Do you really remember this before in a reading of the scriptures? I don't quite recall the seriousness of the statement. The season for prayer is always and that means any place.
Do you remember the story of the Zormanites in the Book of Mormon who built a tower upon which they would pray after their service? A standard prayer was given so that all could hear and only those who qualified could climb up to expound on their faith. Each person said the same prayer for all to see and hear. Sister Martin said this is the best Bad Prayer. Obviously, we don't believe in praying this way. Prayer is a private conversation between you and your Father. It is a time to thank him for all things. (I am particularly thankful for the gospel, my washing machine, running water, electricity, just to name a few).
 " We should plead with [Heavenly Father] for faith and integrity and for every godly attribute, for the triumph and success of his work, for the guidance of his Holy Spirit, and for salvation in his kingdom. We should pray for our families, for our wives and children, for food and shelter and clothing, for our business concerns, and for all our righteous desires."
In Alma 37:35-36 :

 36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

 37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."

As this lesson began so it ends. "Few things are as important as communing with Deity in prayer."

Your bloggess,

Janice