Prayer

I was having a writing conference with this girl who is Muslim, planning out her doctrinal paper for Rel 100 a few days ago. We were talking about things she could compare between the two religions, and I mentioned that she could discuss prayer. "But Mormons don't pray," she said. I told her that we do pray, and I explained several things about prayer. She had never seen her roommates pray, so she didn't think that we did.

I've been learning a lot of things about prayer this semester, actually. I'm starting to become accountable for the things I have heard about prayer. Sometimes it seems like God is responsive to any half-hearted effort you make to be close to Him, but then you get to the point where you have to step it up. I think I came to one of those points this semester in the area of prayer.

Before, I could just think briefly about my day and what I'd pray for, then begin. I'd heard that it was a good idea to write out what you want to say, but I'd only done it a time or two. Then a few weeks ago, I realized that my prayers weren't focused, and that having my mind wander in the middle of the prayer was disrespectful and not effective. I remembered the idea about writing things down before praying, and that has helped a lot! I think more about what I want to say and I think a little more about who it is I'm talking to.

I've also realized the importance of writing down impressions after praying. When I stay on my knees for a few moments after praying, I occasionally have a thought or impression come to my mind. I've noticed that if I take the time to write that impression down, I have more details to write. The thought expands, and I come to new understanding.

Maybe what this boils down to is having respect for sacred things, and showing that you're wanting to receive revelation. Writing beforehand shows that you have a high regard for prayer as a vehicle and for God and his relationship to you. Writing afterward shows that you value receiving revelation and want to remember/act upon it.

And why do we pray, anyway? It's for us. Prayer benefits me much more than it benefits Heavenly Father. It is a way for me to stop and consider what His will is for me, and to strive to have that be the same as my will. It helps me to consciously think about being partners with God in making my life a success. It helps me to lose my life so that I can find it.

When I do the things I've learned, I reach a higher level of progression. When I don't, well, it isn't very fulfilling, and it usually leads to falling short of other expectations I have for myself. Have you ever noticed things like this in your life?