I went out with the missionaries last night to help them teach a member who has been inactive for 11 years. The lesson they gave was about Prayer. (Not a coincidence if you refer to the previous post in which I posted my favorite quote from Abraham Lincoln) The lesson was about the right way to pray and they compared the prayer of the Zoramites to that of Alma. Of course some of my favorite scriptures are in this section. I love how Alma describes how he is feeling to the lord (See Alma 31:31) and I love how he asks the Lord for comfort, for strength, and for patience. I love how he prays for those around him, specifically by name. I love how he shows sincere gratitude and humility for his Savior and his Father in Heaven.

Prayer for me is something very profound and critical. I have a quote from Brigham Young that states, "Getting down on my knees will one day save my life, whether it be in marriage, in work, or in my spirit." I find this quote to be very profound. And I know for a fact that prayers have saved my life more then once. (and not necessarily my own prayers, but the prayers of others too) I don't mean to sound dramatic and I hope my thoughts are conveyed with the reverence they deserve. I love prayer, almost more then anything else in this gospel. Because prayer is my direct line to my Father in Heaven. In my prayers, I can convey exactly how I feel without worrying how it sounds or how it may be conveyed because when I pray, I pray with my heart. And I know that our Heavenly Father hears our heart very clearly, to me it is the one sound he probably cannot block out, nor would he. But what is even more beautiful to me is the fact that when I pray, my Father in Heaven has promised that he will answer in some way or another. The answers I get may not be ones I want to hear, but I know they are the answers that I need in my life.

I have said a lot more prayers in the past three weeks then I have said over the last year. It amazes me how often I have been 'brought to my knees with the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go.' But what amazes me even more is the firm, yet sweet answers I have received from Him, through others. (To those of you who act on promptings or serve without knowing the full reason why, I thank you-because in more ways then one you become someone's answer to a prayer.)

I am far from perfect. FAR from perfect. OH SO VERY FAR. But I am learning each day how to draw closer to my Father in Heaven. And I am learning how to let his will be my will. And though it is a very painful and difficult process at times, I am slowly being healed through the refiner's fire. And to those people who stand in as my relief through the most difficult times, thank you for being an instrument in God's hands. My gratitude could never be shown adequately, nor could my love ever be conveyed properly.