“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. I had just gone through a medical procedure on my hand. President David O. McKay taught: “Sincere praying implies that when we ask for any virtue or blessing, we should work for the blessing and cultivate the virtue.” (David O. McKay, Pathways to Happiness, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1957, p. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. How great is the power of prayer, and how needed are our prayers of faith in God and His Beloved Son in the world today! Prayer will comfort those who have lost a loved one. We must forgive anyone against whom we have bad feelings. 3 Nephi 18:15 , 20–21 In the Book of Mormon, Jesus taught the Nephites to "watch … (See Alma 34:17–18.) We have many examples of how prayer made a difference in our own Church history, beginning with Joseph Smith’s first vocal prayer in a wooded clearing near his parents’ log home in the spring of 1820. Thank God we can reach out and tap that unseen power, without which no man can do his best. M. Russell Ballard, in Sarah Jane Weaver, “President Ballard Pleads with Latter-day Saints to ‘Pray for This Country’ as United States Is at ‘Another Crossroad,’” Church News, Oct. 21, 2019, thechurchnews.com. (See Alma 34:27. As I was speaking, I was prompted to say, “I plead with you … to pray for this country, for our leaders, for our people, and for the families that live in this great nation founded by God.”4, I also said that America and many of the nations of the earth, as in times past, are at another critical crossroads and need our prayers.5. On Sunday, October 20, I spoke to a large gathering near Boston, Massachusetts. Warning that the world has moved far from spiritual things, President Thomas S. Monson spoke during one of his October 2011 general conference addresses on the importance of communicating with Heavenly Father through prayer. Within twenty-four hours from the time I wire the First Presidency of the Church in Salt Lake City, carloads of supplies will be rolling toward Germany. Such prayers should strengthen our resolve to make whatever changes are necessary in our own lives, families, and communities. We have seen people passionately exercising their right to peaceful protest, and we have seen angry mobs riot. See more ideas about lds young women, yw activities, lds young. ), We should ask for what we need, taking care that we not ask for things that would be to our detriment. That is, it should be free from distraction, in secret. No matter where you live, what language you speak, or the challenges you face, God hears and answers you in His own way and in His own time. Thus, with great love, our Savior has said, “What I say unto one I say unto all; pray always.” ( D&C 93:49 .) Motivated by sincere prayer, we can improve and help others to do the same. I stood and returned to the pile of papers on my desk. Watch and Pray Mark 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. … And Ask family members to share their feelings. On behalf of the leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I thank you for your prayers for us. - … I know the power of prayer by my own experience. We had prayed that we would be able to see him and to touch his heart, knowing that all relief supplies contributed from any source were required to be placed into the hands of the military for distribution. We should be alone with our Heavenly Father at least two or three times each day—“morning, mid-day, and evening,” as the scripture indicates. After praying, we have a responsibility to assist in the fulfillment of the prayer. Jul 5, 2017 - 2 Nephi 26:33 states that “all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” Most people in Nephi’s time assumed that the gods of each nation only loved their own nation. When I was a young missionary in northern England in 1922, opposition to the Church became very intense. Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. “Remember that whatever you do or wherever you are, you are never alone,” was my father’s familiar counsel. We should listen. The world’s current chaotic situation may seem daunting as we consider the multitude of issues and challenges. We explained the Church welfare program and how it operated. “Ye must watch and pray always.” —3 Nephi 18:15 Quote “Pray for strength to endure to the end. We should confess His hand in all things. ), We should find an appropriate place where we can meditate and pray. Mark records Jesus saying: "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time [of Christ's coming] is. 13:5–6. But we were told by the appointment officer, “Gentlemen, there will be no opportunity for you to see the general for at least three days. “Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name; “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.” (3 Ne. Today we are the beneficiaries of Joseph the Prophet and other faithful Latter-day Saint men and women who prayed and acted to help establish The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We should be grateful enough to give thanks for all we have. I have found this counsel to be true. I spent several days last year in the northeastern part of the United States visiting American and Church history sites, attending meetings with our missionaries and our members, and visiting government and business leaders. He then admitted, “I’ve never heard of a people with such vision.” His heart was touched as we had prayed it would be. 18:15, 18–20.). If you’ll come, we’re sure that we’ll have a great meeting.”. Cemeteries, churches, mosques, synagogues, and religious shrines have been vandalized. Luke 21:36, emphasis added; see also 3 Nephi 18:15. My plea was not in my prepared remarks. When I sat down, I realized that I had not even mentioned the Apostasy. “Thy kingdom come. Casual elegance will make it an instant favorite in everyone's wardrobe. He’s very busy, and his schedule is filled up with appointments.”, I said, “It is very important that we see him, and we can’t wait that long. He also showed that the Gentiles would enthusiastically accept Jehovah as their God. For what should we pray? Matthew 6:9–13. This heavy cotton tee has the classic cotton look and feel. (See 3 Ne. “Thy kingdom come. We have many storehouses filled with basic commodities.”. 26:41. 18:15, 18–20 .) Are there some scriptures or quotations in this article that the family might read aloud and discuss? In 3 Nephi 18:15, the Lord gave further instructions for things that His followers should do, which would help them to always remember Him. Be prepared." “Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name; “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.” ( 3 Ne. Would this discussion be better after a pre-visit chat with the head of the house? When Mom Can’t Be Home—Making the Best of Second Choice, Barbara W. Winder, Joy F. Evans, and Joanne B. Doxey, “We Prophesy of Christ”: The Law of Witnesses in 2 Nephi, Coping Financially after My Husband’s Death, The Abrahamic Covenant: A Blessing for All People, The Exodus: Seeing It as a Test, a Testimony, and a Type, Bernard Lefrandt: Dutch-Indonesian Pioneer. Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work, and Count It All Joy! Humbling ourselves and seeking heaven’s inspiration to endure or conquer what is before us will be our safest and surest way to move confidently forward through these troubling times. Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed." “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. "For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray; for … I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint." ), We have this instruction from our risen Lord as He ministered among the Nephite people on this Western Hemisphere: “Ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him. Brothers and sisters, I urge you to redouble your commitment to prayer. Pray Always By Elder David A. Bednar Quorum of the Twelve Apostles General Conference – October, 2008 My message in the last general conference focused upon the gospel principle of asking in faith in prayer. Our hearts, individually and collectively, go out to you, and our prayers go to God in your behalf. 8:26–27.). Prayer can change our own lives. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. This focused, beautiful prayer, repeated often throughout Christianity, makes it clear that it is appropriate to directly petition “Our Father which art in heaven” for answers to what is troubling us. We must always keep a prayer in our heart to the Lord. Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Our Heavenly Father is always near. In 1946 I was assigned by President George Albert Smith to go to war-torn Europe to reestablish our missions from Norway to South Africa and to set up a program for the distribution of welfare supplies—food, clothing, bedding, and so forth. This is not about politics or policy. Ingratitude is one of our great sins. It is soul-satisfying to know that God is mindful of us and ready to respond when we place our trust in Him and do that which is right. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. I invite all Church members, as well as our neighbors and friends of other faith groups worldwide, to do as the Savior counseled His disciples: “Watch ye therefore, and pray always”14 for peace, for comfort, for safety, and for opportunities to serve one another. “Ye must watch and pray always,” He said, “lest ye be tempted by the devil…. I once heard of Sincerely praying for those who may be considered our enemies demonstrates our belief that God can change our hearts and the hearts of others. “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” ( 3 Nephi 18:18-19 ). Instead, I had talked about the Prophet Joseph Smith and borne my witness of his divine mission and to the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. We left the building, went out to our car, removed our hats, and united in prayer. We need to develop a life of prayer so that we are always ready for whatever comes our way, and overcome! See Luke 18:1–8; 21:36; Ephesians 6:18; 2 Nephi 32:9; 3 Nephi 18:15, 18–21; Doctrine and Covenants 10:5; 19:38; 33:17; 61:39; 88:126; 90:24. Watch. News reports are filled with accounts of violence. I know that other Church leaders echo that same prayer. He then says, “Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man” (verse 36). After we kneel in prayer, we need to get up from our knees and do what we can to help—to help both ourselves and others.10, The scriptures are full of examples of people of faith who combined prayer with action to make a difference in their own lives and in the lives of others. Before we left his office, we had written authorization to make our own distribution to our own people through our own channels. Though persecutions arise, though reverses come, in prayer we can find reassurance, for God will speak peace to the soul. As a boy in the Aaronic Priesthood, I learned a poem about prayer that has remained with me to this day: Some Points of Emphasis. Luke 18:6-8 Then the Lord said, "Hear what the unjust judge said. I then responded, talking with a freedom I had never before experienced in my life. You will remember the Lord’s Prayer: “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. We should ask for strength to overcome our problems. Lds Quotes Search diligently, PRAY ALWAYS, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good -- D&C 90:24 Saved by Plain and Precious Publishing The Savior told us, “Pray in your families unto the Father, always in my name, that your wives and your children may be blessed.” In our day, the Church urges us to have family prayer every night and every morning. As I said last October in Massachusetts, we stand today at a major crossroads in history, and the nations of the earth are in desperate need of divine inspiration and guidance. This was an answer to our fasting and prayers, for we prayed to say only that which would touch the hearts of the investigators. He promised that prayer would help them overcome temptation and that Heavenly Father would answer their prayers of faith. When we pray with our hearts and our voices, we feel our way to God. My companion had planned to talk on the first principles of the gospel. 1 In the Old Testament, there is the image of the watchman, one who would be set up at a height so that they could watch for approaching enemies or thieves and warn others of their coming. We accepted this invitation and fasted and prayed sincerely about what to say. Certainly, we live in a time during which things are in commotion. Praying for justice, peace, the poor, and the sick is often not enough. During His earthly ministry, Jesus taught us a pattern for prayer: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Classic fit 100% Cotton (fibre content may vary for different Finally he said, “Gentlemen, you go ahead and collect your supplies, and by the time you get them collected, the policy may be changed.”, We replied, “General, our supplies are already collected. Each night when I pray, I ask the Lord to bless all who are burdened with grief, pain, loneliness, and sadness. Recently I was alone in my office. Discussion questions, summary, and action steps for M. Russell Ballard’s talk “Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray Always” at October 2020 General Conference. He told them that they “must watch and pray always.” The word “watch” is used many times in the Scriptures, and especially by Jesus Himself. …. But it is my fervent testimony that if we will pray and ask Heavenly Father for needed blessings and guidance, we will come to know how we can bless our families, neighbors, communities, and even the countries in which we live. You may wish to make these points in your home teaching discussions: The Lord has encouraged us to pray frequently. Today I expand my call for prayer to all people from every country around the world. It became so strong that at one time the mission president asked that we discontinue all street meetings, and in some places tracting also was discontinued. We should pray about our work, against the power of our enemies and the devil, for our welfare and the welfare of those around us. I knelt in prayer and asked the Lord to help me focus so I could accomplish my work. We are promised that if we pray sincerely for that which is right and good and in accordance with God’s will, we can be blessed; ). We should find an appropriate place where we can meditate and pray. Why doesn’t the Church synchronize the reading schedules of the Gospel Doctrine class and the seminary program? 6:9–13. This is about peace and the healing that can come to individual souls as well as to the soul of countries—their cities, towns, and villages—through the Prince of Peace and the source of all healing, the Lord Jesus Christ. It was black and blue, swollen, and it was painful. Pray for the courageous people who are on the front lines in the current battles against social, environmental, political, and biological plagues that impact all people throughout the world: the rich and the poor, the young and the old. This would take place because God simply lays down the conditions that people have to keep for Him to This means that our hearts should be full, drawn out in prayer unto our Heavenly Father continually. Here are five ways to improve our communication with our Heavenly Father: We should pray frequently. We can reach out and receive His aid through prayer. I had studied hard in preparation for a talk on the Apostasy. That peace, that spirit of serenity, is life’s greatest blessing. In addition, we are told to pray always. (See Mark 11:25.) In the Book of Mormon, for example, we read about Enos. Prayer will influence scientists and help them toward discoveries of vaccines and medications that will end this pandemic. (See Alma 31:31–33.) We should be humble. Do Justly, Love Mercy, and Walk Humbly with God, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Jesus Christ foretold that His Second Coming would be … He told them that they “must watch and pray always.” The word “watch” is used many times in the Scriptures, and especially by Jesus Himself. I urge you to pray in your closets, in your daily walk, in your homes, in your wards, and always in your hearts.12. Economic upheavals have caused challenges for so many, especially for the most vulnerable of our Heavenly Father’s children. (See Alma 37:36–37.) Couple praying via lds.org Why Does Jesus Say that “Ye Must Watch and Pray Always”? Jesus taught His disciples to “watch ye therefore, and pray always,that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to Perhaps while we are on our knees, the Lord wants to counsel us. The invitation said, “We feel sure we can fill the little chapel. My dear brothers and sisters, during the last week of His mortal ministry, Jesus taught His disciples to “watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”1, Among the “things that shall come to pass” before His Second Coming are “wars and rumours of wars[,] … famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”2, In the Doctrine and Covenants, the Savior said, “And all things shall be in commotion; … for fear shall come upon all people.”3. Pray always and pray about everything. “Ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. The scriptures highlight prayers offered by Jesus as well as His teachings about prayer during His mortal ministry. The Savior prayed and then He “went about doing good”13 by feeding the poor, providing courage and support to those in need, and reaching out in love, forgiveness, peace, and rest to all who would come unto Him. Pray Always | March 13, 2017 Natalie Bruce March 13, 2017 Daily Dose Share Facebook Twitter Pinterest Scripture “But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always… Sustaining of General Authorities, Area Seventies, and General Officers, By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power with God, Video: The Light That Shineth in Darkness. During the past few months I have had the impression come to me that the best way to help the current world situation is for all people to rely more fully upon God and to turn their hearts to Him through sincere prayer. (See James 4:3.) Watch and pray: This has to do with temptation. 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