Just Talking
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to lead the discussion in a Sunday School Class. It was different. I was asked to substitute, teach, or instruct, but I don't know that I really did that. I had the feeling that they needed to learn for themselves. At the same time I was instructed.
I had spent several days through out the week reading the manual, pondering the topic, and think about how it might apply to each of them. The subject of the lesson was Prayer and the Power thereof.
In my mind, I can visualize what it is like to talk to my Heavenly Father. I feel that I have a relationship with my parents that has always been open and inviting. When I think of talking to my Heavenly Father, I imagine that I am speaking to a loving parent who listens, shares insight, and guides me in decision making, but does not make the decision for me. I quickly learned that not all have that kind of relationship that they can relate too.
My eyes were open. As I tried to help them understand the manner in which we should approach the Lord, I related it to them asking their parents if they could do something or if they would help them with something. I asked them if the idea to do something just pops into their heads and then they ask. I received and overwhelming No. They all realized that generally, before they will be allowed to do something, their parents are going to inquire of them. They are going to want to know if they have completed certain tasks before they give an answer.
I explained that our Heavenly Parents are not much different. They expect that we have already done, been doing, or have thought out what they are going to require of us because they always do. Many times it is the same things, homework, chores, clean room. Doesn't our Heavenly Father expect the same? Have we done our studies, are we striving to represent him, are we keeping our bodies clean, etc....
We then talked about how they ask. Do you ask and then expect a yes? Do you ask and then turn around and walk away? Do you ask and then ignore the response? Prayer is just the same. We cannot expect the answer to always be yes. We should not walk away after asking. We should take the response and then act upon it.
One the concerning responses I heard was, I have not prayed in a while because, just like at home, I am told to wait until the commercial, half time, or when they are done doing what they want to do. We had to talk about that. We have to realize that sometimes the Lord is going to say, can you give me a second. I reminded them that relative to the Lord, a second could be a while. In fact, it might be around 4 days before he gets back to us. However, in that time, we don't stop. We keep praying, we keep doing our best, and we continue trying to solve the issue ourselves.
When ask, it needs to be with true intent. We must be willing to do what every is required of us. Sometimes when we ask our parents, they respond by asking us to do something first. Even though we may not like doing what they ask, we must approach the Lord with the same commitment. We should not ask of Him if we are not willing to do all that He asks of us. We need to be willing to receive the response and act to get what we want. We should not go before him with things that we are not willing to sacrifice for.
Think about that. There is so much to ponder when it comes to prayer. Are you praying for the right things? Is your intent real? Are you listening? Are you acting upon the results? I hope so.
I had spent several days through out the week reading the manual, pondering the topic, and think about how it might apply to each of them. The subject of the lesson was Prayer and the Power thereof.
In my mind, I can visualize what it is like to talk to my Heavenly Father. I feel that I have a relationship with my parents that has always been open and inviting. When I think of talking to my Heavenly Father, I imagine that I am speaking to a loving parent who listens, shares insight, and guides me in decision making, but does not make the decision for me. I quickly learned that not all have that kind of relationship that they can relate too.
My eyes were open. As I tried to help them understand the manner in which we should approach the Lord, I related it to them asking their parents if they could do something or if they would help them with something. I asked them if the idea to do something just pops into their heads and then they ask. I received and overwhelming No. They all realized that generally, before they will be allowed to do something, their parents are going to inquire of them. They are going to want to know if they have completed certain tasks before they give an answer.
I explained that our Heavenly Parents are not much different. They expect that we have already done, been doing, or have thought out what they are going to require of us because they always do. Many times it is the same things, homework, chores, clean room. Doesn't our Heavenly Father expect the same? Have we done our studies, are we striving to represent him, are we keeping our bodies clean, etc....
We then talked about how they ask. Do you ask and then expect a yes? Do you ask and then turn around and walk away? Do you ask and then ignore the response? Prayer is just the same. We cannot expect the answer to always be yes. We should not walk away after asking. We should take the response and then act upon it.
One the concerning responses I heard was, I have not prayed in a while because, just like at home, I am told to wait until the commercial, half time, or when they are done doing what they want to do. We had to talk about that. We have to realize that sometimes the Lord is going to say, can you give me a second. I reminded them that relative to the Lord, a second could be a while. In fact, it might be around 4 days before he gets back to us. However, in that time, we don't stop. We keep praying, we keep doing our best, and we continue trying to solve the issue ourselves.
When ask, it needs to be with true intent. We must be willing to do what every is required of us. Sometimes when we ask our parents, they respond by asking us to do something first. Even though we may not like doing what they ask, we must approach the Lord with the same commitment. We should not ask of Him if we are not willing to do all that He asks of us. We need to be willing to receive the response and act to get what we want. We should not go before him with things that we are not willing to sacrifice for.
Think about that. There is so much to ponder when it comes to prayer. Are you praying for the right things? Is your intent real? Are you listening? Are you acting upon the results? I hope so.
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