#LIGHTtheWORLD Dec 8

The focus today was prayer.  I am not sure what I can say about prayer.  Prayer is personal.  Prayer is what you make it.  Prayer is not one sided.  Prayer is powerful.

I have deep and strong testimony of Prayer.  I will admit that I am not always the best Prayer.  I continue to learn.  I know I need to listen better.  But all that being said, I know that Prayer is real, it works, and that there is a loving God, Father, Savior, and more on the other end of each Prayer that comes from the heart and not just words from the mind.

We are told to Pray always.  I do my best to do this.  I find myself continually thinking of my communication with my Father in Heaven.  I guess I am fortunate.  I have an earthly Father who has always been easy for me to talk to.  When I Pray, I envision my Father kneeling beside me, listening, and often talking back to me.  He whispers to my heart.  I wish that I listened better.

So how do we Pray.  We just talk.  Talk to Him about what is on your mind.  Is it your family?  Your work? Maybe,  you are struggling emotionally, mentally, or physically with some ailment of sorts.  Talk to Him about it, just like you would talk to your Father, Mother, best friend, and such.  But really talk.  Take time to listen when your petition has been raised.  I was recently challenged to spend 5 minutes, 5 real minutes, without talking.  Try just listening to what is coming your way.  It is not easy, but I promise it will be worth it, if you are truly listening.

I am grateful for Prayer.  I am grateful that he takes time out of His work to listen and answer my prayers.  The answers He gives are not always the answers I wanted hear or the answers that I was expecting, but He does answer.  We just have to listen.

I encourage you to listen to or read the most recent conference talks regarding Prayer.  I know they have given me cause to repent and evaluate my communications with my Celestial Father.   I have tried to focus more.  I have tried to feel more.

Again, Prayer works!  It is real!  And when you listen, no matter what time of day it is, you will be overwhelmed with His loving responses to you.