Prayer from JFS

… It is the duty of parents to teach their children to pray as soon as they commence to understand. Let them form the habit of approaching their Father in heaven, and with the understanding of the reason for prayer.

Chapter 22: Prayer—A Commandment and a Blessing

http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-joseph-fielding-smith/chapter-22-prayer-a-commandment-and-a-blessing?lang=eng

 

I like the part that says that we need to teach them the reason for prayer. Not just how to pray, but the reason that we do it. There are so many reasons that we pray. To gain understanding. To repent. To show our face. To feel the spirit and have the spirit be a constant companion. To ask for spiritual gifts. To get answers to our prayers. To strengthen our relationship with heavenly father. To show him our humility and need for his help.

His work will go on just the same, whether we pray or whether we do not. … Prayer is something that we need, not that the Lord needs. He knows just how to conduct his affairs and how to take care of them without any help from us. Our prayers are not for the purpose of telling him how to run his business. If we have any such idea as that, then of course we have the wrong idea. Our prayers are uttered more for our sakes, to build us up and give us strength and courage, and to increase our faith in him.

Chapter 22: Prayer—A Commandment and a Blessing

http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-joseph-fielding-smith/chapter-22-prayer-a-commandment-and-a-blessing?lang=eng

His work will go on thre same without us! But we need to do it for us! 

No man can have the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, unless in his heart is found this spirit of prayer. …

Chapter 22: Prayer—A Commandment and a Blessing

When I seek comfort, guidance, forgiveness, I first must ask self, do I truly have the spirit of prayer with me? If not, I will not receive anything. 

And if a man will pray as he is commanded to do in this passage of scripture which I have read, then he more than likely will be found in all things righteously keeping the commandments of the Lord.

Chapter 22: Prayer—A Commandment and a Blessing

http://www.lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-joseph-fielding-smith/chapter-22-prayer-a-commandment-and-a-blessing?lang=

I love that! If we pray always, over all things, we will just naturally be righteous! 

December stories

December 2: Jesus heals the blind man/men (Mark 10:46-62)

•This teaches me that faith means we are specific in what we ask for. Jesus knows our needs. But we must have the faith to ask Him specifically for help with them. "What wilt that I should do unto thee?" He asks. 

•if I were to answer this, I could say, an opportunity to invite someone to learn more about the gospel. Or, help with final papers. I know He answers specific prayers.

December 5: The humble circumstances of Christ's birth (Jesus the Christ, chapter 8)

• The circumstances really were very humble. And sweet. There was an angel who told shepherds to go greet Him. They believed and immediately went. There was a manger, a quiet, peaceful place. There was a new star. There was a choir of angels singing. Mary pondered the things in her heart.
• I got to sing in our stake's Christmas program, "A Child Is Born," and one of the songs is very very sweet and powerful. It's called "Manger of Bethlehem" and how He was just a little baby in humble circumstances but was already a King. And Joseph was saying today about how he'd been pondering how Joseph and Mary parented Jesus, knowing who He was and what He would become and that He was perfect. A sweet, profound thought. 

December 9: I read the beginning of chapter 9, which talks about Christ as a boy and young man. Talmage said that Mary's relationship with her son was never quite human; it always had the reminder of His divine origin. How interesting. And he also said the Jesus didn't know right away who He was and what He'd do. But he grew and learned and was wise. The time He was found in the temple at age 12 was interesting. Talmage notes that what He was doing wasn't peculiar: talking to older priests, asking questions, discussing things. But the deference they paid him was the peculiar thing. They recognized His deep wisdom and knowledge. And Mary and Joseph picked up on that level of respect as soon as they went into the temple and saw Him. Another interesting thing about this occasion is what Mary and Jesus said to each other. Mary said, "Your father and I have been looking for you..." and Jesus answered, "I was doing my Father's business." His comment corrected her inadvertent mistake...that Joseph was Jesus's father. So by that point, Jesus at least knew His divine origin and who His real Father was (whether or not He understood the biological origin, I'm still not sure).

Raising a perfect son must have been so interesting.