This post is a repeat. This morning it appeared out of ‘nowhere,’ no title, no author, no date, so I expect there are those who haven’t seen it or perhaps need it now more than they ever have before. . . .kdm
Bonnie H Cordon, Young Women General President, said: “Two hundred years ago, a young man read a promise in the scriptures. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5)
Where do we turn for answers? What is our source of comfort and solace? Who is our steadfast guide and stay as we face the challenges of life? As it was with Joseph Smith, our answer is “to ask of God.” He is our Father. He will be our guide, solace, and stay if we go to Him in prayer—one of the greatest privileges given to the sons and daughters of God.1
Our Guide
As we consistently go to Heavenly Father in prayer, He will guide us. Our Savior taught us the pattern of prayer. We call upon Heavenly Father, offer thanks to Him. Ask for blessings, and close in the name of Jesus Christ.
Recently, I was overcome with a sense of awe. I thought, “Who am I to address God?” But He is my Father and I am His daughter. I know he longs to hear from me as much as I yearn to commune with Him.
Once we humbly call upon God, we thank Him for our blessings. There is a power that comes as we are generous with out gratitude. But are we willing to express gratitude in all things?
Expressing gratitude when we are hurt or upset can be hard, but if we hope to gain the full power of this portion of prayer, we may need to open our hearts more fully. What if we offered thanks for those situations that bring us frustration, sorrow, or anguish? As we sincerely thank God in and through our trials, we invite Him to help us see our trials and ourselves in a different way. Thanking Him rather than asking for something to be taken away helps us accept His effort to mold us into who we are meant to become. Gratitude helps us to see a flow of blessings deeper and broader than we could ever comprehend otherwise.2
Having expressed gratitude, we have the privilege to ask for blessings “that God is eager to bestow, according to His will and timing.”3
Some of you may be thinking, “I have prayed, but the Lord doesn’t answer.” I too have questions and concerns that I repeatedly bring to God. At some point we all have to “wait upon the Lord” (Psalm 37:9). The answer may be there but not as we expected. It may be a matter of timing, so we just need to continue to ponder and wrestle.
We close our prayer in the name of the Savior. I love that we begin by acknowledging our relationship with our Heavenly Father and close by recognizing Jesus Christ and His role in our lives. This puts our gratitude and asking in the context of the divine plan of happiness. ~President Bonnie H. Cordon (Young Women General President)
For Sister Cordon’s complete Brigham Young University address (and active links), click . . . Ask of God: Our Solace, Guide, and Stay.
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