(re-posted from 2.25.15)
“We pray in Christ’s name when our mind is the mind of Christ, and our wishes the wishes of Christ– when His words abide in us (John 15:7). We then ask for things it is possible for God to grant. Many prayers remain unanswered because they are not in Christ’s name at all; they in no way represent His mind but spring out of the selfishness of man’s heart.” ~From the LDS Bible Dictionary… ‘Prayer’ – (read 1st the last two full paragraphs)
I’m going into a space (out on a limb) that I have shared with a select few…Had to smile this morning as I was on my knees. How I have changed! My whole focus of life has shifted. How, why has that happened? Because finally, a while ago, I came into the ‘space’ of letting Heavenly Father do what he feels is best for me and to His eternal purposes. Thus, those hard knocks, which I resisted and didn’t appreciate at all… I now really value and would not have it any other way. A great gift He has given me is to ask Him what is His will that I should pray for. I have learned that such a request is something not to be taken lightly. When blessed with an answer in this, I found my mortal side needs time to ‘ruminate’ (carefully consider from all aspects) over His suggestions, before yielding a promise to Him (a blessing to me…!). Not long ago when asking Him something I needed that I knew would work too, to His purposes, the strong impression came that yes… you can have that request, but your part is to always maintain the discipline to keep the gift. Go against that discipline, even once, and you open a door to, in time (a very short time) lose the gift. And how sweet life is! The more I ask Him what I should pray for that fits His purposes (and, in the end, mine) the more he teaches me what to pray for and how to make it happen. kdm
The above was written 7 months ago and I have been able to make the suggested disciplines ‘my own’. It certainly hasn’t been easy, (I have faltered, but He has been there to help me quickly return with increased commitment) but worth it? WOW, I continue to feel the spiritual growth daily. He’s blessed me with ‘staying power’ as my commitments to Him grow. kdm
