Lesson Summary - January 18, 2015

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson

Lesson 2 - “Pray Always”

by Kristi-Lynn

 

“I would humbly urge all....to keep in close touch with our Father in heaven through prayer.”

 

Pres. Benson followed this counsel in every aspect of his life. When he was appointed to serve as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, he prayerfully and carefully selected a group of men to work with him, asking God to give him a spirit of discernment.  At their first meeting he asked if anyone objected to opening their meetings with prayer. No one dissented. And so began a practice that he perpetuated for eight years. Has it helped? “Well, I’d say that when you start a meeting that way, people aren’t stuck up with the pride of their opinions. You pretty quickly come to an agreement as to what ought to be done in any situation.”

 

Why should we Pray Always?

 

It is an anchor

It is a source of strength

It is a basis for divine knowledge

It “ties you to the mast”

It is a place of refuge

It is free therapy

It is a great comfort

 

Pres. Benson counsels that without prayer, no man can do his best.

Whenever Pres. Benson was called upon to speak in conference his family would pass along the reminder: “Pray for Daddy”.

 

Pres. Benson teaches us: “If we would advance in holiness --- increase in favor with God --- nothing can take the place of prayer. And so I adjure you to give prayer, daily prayer, secret prayer, a foremost place in your lives. Let not a day pass without it. Communion with the Almighty has been a source of strength, inspiration and enlightenment to men and women through the world’s history who have shaped the destinies of individuals and nations for good.”

 

3 Ne 18:15, 18-20 teaches us:

15 Verily, verily I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him.

18 Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat.

19 Therefore, ye must always pray unto the Father in my name;

20 And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you.

 

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part. Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

                                                                                                Bible dictionary

 

How can we improve our communication with our Father?

 

1. We should pray frequently “morning, mid-day and evening” as the scriptures indicate. (Alma 34:21)
2. We should find an appropriate place where we can meditate and pray free from distraction and in secret. (One sister mentioned the bathtub! Whatever works.)
3. We should prepare ourselves for prayer. If we do not feel like praying, we should pray until we do. Pray for forgiveness and mercy. We must forgive anyone against whom we have bad feelings.
4. Our prayers should be meaningful and pertinent.
5. After making a request through prayer, we have a responsibility to assist in its being granted.
    
   Some sisters added: turn off your cellphone, if possible write in your journal before or after prayer.
    
   When we do not pray, Satan gains power over us. We cannot advance in holiness without prayer. Having family prayer will strengthen our families immeasurably.   All members of our family will then know we are united in prayer for them.
    
   As a boy in the Aaronic priesthood, Pres. Benson learned a poem that stayed with him throughout his life:
    
   I know not by want methods rare,
   But this I know, God answers prayer.
   I know that He has given His Word,
   Which tells me prayer is always heard,
   And will be answered, soon or late.
   And so I pray and calmly wait.
   I know not if the blessing sought
   Will come in just the way I thought;
   But leave my prayers with Him alone,
   Whose will is wiser than my own,
   Assured that He will grant my quest,
   Or send some answer far more blest.