On May 5, 2026 in our Family History Project zone it was my turn to present a message about prayer for the morning devotional. We can be asked or we can volunteer. I picked an easy day, and an easy topic before Zone Leaders might request any other time or topic.
Elder Ames suggested I share it here. The following post paraphrases my notes in an attempt to replicate the general ideas I shared with missionaries of our Zone:
I love Primary songs – “Heavenly Father, are you really
there? [1]
When I taught a Primary class of children, age 6 turning 7,
a lesson about the great 1st and 2nd commandments, [2] we gave each
child two folded hearts numbered 1stand 2nd with a card outlining a scripture from study material.
Inside the heart numbered ‘1st’, were the words
‘Love God.’ Inside the heart numbered ‘2nd’ were the words ‘Love
Others.’ We started with the 2nd commandment.
I asked 2 questions:
How do we show someone we love
them?
How do we know they love us?
The majority of the children gave a similar answer.
They said, “they listen to me. They talk to me.”
A child often can provide a simple, yet profound, answer to
a complex question.
How do we talk to God?
Anytime! Anywhere!
He is there –
listening.
In Relief Society, one week, a discussion evolved about being loving, and feeling loved. A mother of a young baby (about 6
months) described how her son was driving them crazy. He would put his fist
into his mouth and push it so far in that it would sometimes gag him. He is
learning about his fingers, hands, mouth – his whole body – and how it functions.
We also are learning.
The mother described that despite their frustration with an
obvious problem, their love for their child did not change. Heavenly Father’s
love also remains the same – not conditional, even when we can improve.
Do we show respect to Him for his patient love? Revere
Him?
How do we talk to Him? Do we?
Do we listen for Him to talk to us?
How do we listen to God?
We are learning – where are our hearts?
I have many questions. I have few answers. I ask a lot of
questions. My children sometimes groan because I ask so many questions. I ask
because I sincerely want to know.
I am grateful for the privilege of prayer – both speaking
and listening.
I worked in a men’s wear and bridal shop for many years. There were many
tools.
I’m going to attempt to outline a few points, pun intended.
I have, here in my hand, a needle. There
are many types. (Explaining the types and uses would be TMI BUT– is this easy
or difficult to thread? How many of you have threaded a needle? Sometimes a
needle seems difficult to thread – almost frustratingly impossible!
I have at times accidentally dropped my needle, and when I picked
it up, suddenly it seemed to readily and easily thread smoothly.
WHY? Do you know that the eye of a needle is punched? Although
I worked daily as a professional seamstress, I did not know this secret!
Punched! I never knew, despite regular use – the eyes of needles are punched – I
never knew!
Elder Ames provided each of you with a small paper sticky
note and a toothpick. Please push the toothpick through the paper. Notice that
the front side has a hole with smooth edges, and on other back side the edge of
the hole is ragged. Needles are the same. One end of the wire is sharpened and
the edges of the punched eye is polished and smoothed. However, there is a
front and a back and small, almost invisible burrs may remain.
SO – when I dropped the needle, if I picked it up with the
punched side toward the thread it seemed to suddenly thread easily - more readily than just seconds before.
PRAYER is the same – knowing details and patterns, being
instructed – learning or having an example helps me.
Change may help me. There are many ways to change – the tool, thread, end of
thread cut, comparing threads and needles, MORE TOOLS – like a needle threader
… many types of those also – what is MY need? What do I need to get the particular
thread I am using through the particular needle I am threading?
When I examine my task, my tools, - I learn, I change. I
keep trying, I ask, learn more, and get advice – I can ask others with more
experience or knowledge – and yes even God!
And I can look for examples too. I ask myself, “what will
facilitate the change I need? Scriptures? Sunday as a day of rest? The sacrament?
Ordinances? Covenants? Family history? Temple worship?
In the New Testament Jesus provided a pattern for prayer.
You are welcome to turn to Mathew 6:9-13 [3] or Luke 11:2-4 [4] and follow along as I read, but be warned - I may
stop reading to comment or ask a question. (And I did - however most of those asides are not in my notes.)
The Lord’s prayer is a pattern – it instructs me how to talk with Heavenly Father. I grew up
in Canada and every day - every single morning - at school, we began the day by
reciting The Lord’s Prayer. It is still engraved in my mind.
9 After this manner
therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in
heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our
daily bread.
12 And forgive us
our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
Scriptures counsel me to “Pray Always” [5] and prophets and
apostles of all generations explain the blessings and veracity of prayer. [6] After the passing of his wife and his own near death
experience, Elder
Jeffery R. Holland spoke in April
2024 General Conference and at Roots Tech 2025 about prayer. He said he was
instructed to pray more – and surprised because he prays a lot – and also to
testify about the reality of prayer, of speaking to and listening to God, our
loving Father in Heaven.
I likewise share my own witness. I pray often each day, yet
I can pray more often, AND more sincerely.
HE IS THERE!
1. Children's Songbook #12 "A Child’s Prayer”
2. 2. Mathew 22:37-39
3. Mathew 6:9-13 3. 4. Luke 11:2-4
4. 5. D&C 61:39
5. 6. D&C 65
1.
