The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

28 Sep, 2018 - 00:09 0 Views

The ManicaPost

Saints Answers the Question: Why Pray?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints started with a prayer. In 1820 Joseph Smith, a 14-year old boy, had questions about religion. He read in the Bible, James1:5, “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.”

He followed the Bible and offered a prayer. In response to his prayer Joseph received a visitation from Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Joseph’s questions were answered, and he was called to restore The Church of Jesus Christ.

Prayer is a foundational principle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Following are some questions and answers regarding prayer.

Q: What is prayer?

A: Prayer is a personal form of communication where we speak directly with God. He knows each of us by name and loves us. He hears our prayers and He answers them with wisdom and compassion. Sometimes those answers come in direct, concrete ways, other times they come more quietly and gently, through impressions or feelings of peace. We can go to our Father with desperate questions, with humble confessions, or with gratitude; we can pray to better understand Him and His plan for us.

Q: Who is allowed to pray?

A: All of us! We are all God’s children. God loves each of us and is anxious to hear from every one of His children. He will listen to our prayers and answer them. He knows what we need before we ask, and is willing the grant them but, He waits for us to ask Him.

Q: What can we pray for?

A: Life is full of challenges. At times we need food or the necessities of life. At times we need protection from evil and harm. At times we have questions about our purpose in life. At times we need friendship or comfort. At times we need to make difficult changes. At times we need to help a friend or family member and don’t know how to help. At times we may be sad or discouraged. There are many challenges that  present themselves in life. The Saviour said in Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” We believe that if we have faith in Jesus Christ and pray with pure intent, Heavenly Father will answer our prayers and bless us with the blessings He feels will be best for us. It is also important to remember to give thanks as we pray for all the blessings we receive.

Q: Can I really receive answers to prayer?

A: Many years ago John Burroughs, a naturalist, was walking through a crowded park. Above the sounds of city life he heard the song of a bird. He stopped and listened! Those with him had not heard it. He looked around. No one else had noticed it. It bothered him that everyone should miss something so beautiful. He took a coin from his pocket and flipped it into the air. It struck the pavement with a ring, no louder than the song of the bird. Everyone turned; they could hear that!

We read in Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”

Heavenly Father answers all our prayers. We need to learn to hear His answers.

Q: How do we pray?

A:  We should pray from the heart, in our own words. It is not necessary to recite a written or memorised prayer. We address God, and we thank Him for his many blessings. Even though we have problems in our life, we also have many blessings. Let’s recognise them. Then we can discuss our problems with Him and humbly ask for His help and guidance. We should pray specifically about the people and situations in our life, and we should pray with faith and real intent. And we should end the prayer “. . . in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.”

Our prayers can be long or short. They can be said out loud or expressed silently in our heart.

For any further information call +263 77 212 5326. Email address: [email protected] <mailto:mutarezls@gmail.com>

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