Day. 193 Prayer combined with Gospel Living Prayer alone is not to satisfy the soul. It is not enough to seek ones own welfare through prayer. Nor is it enough to ask God to bless the sick and sfflicted and those who mourn. No, prayer should motivate us to get up and help those in need. And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need-- I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith. Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men, (Alma 34:28-29.) Very typically, we ask the Lord to bless the missionaries, the leaders of the Church, those who mourn, and those who are sick and afflicted. I am quite sure that this has value and meaning. It is in Gods interest to inspire missionaries and leaders of the Church. As our Father of mercy and compassion, he is surely concerned with those who are in pain. Why not, following the suggestion of Amulek, use prayer to motivate ourselves to help the Lord achieve his purposes? Father, help me to write and encourage missionaries, to accept callings from the bishop and carry them out cheerfully and wholeheartedly. Father, help me to turn off the television and visit the sick, afflicted, and lonely of my acquaintance. Help me to find the right things to say to the Smith family who have lost a son. Prayer should not be a substitute for gospel living but a motivation to live it. ---Lowell L. Bennion
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 03:16:58 +0000
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