Having just recently read through the Book of Alma I was struck with some of the teaching that are found in Alma concerning prayer. As I reflected on the times we are living in, I realize once again how the scriptures truly to speak to us in our day. I love the counsel that Amulek gives to the Zoramites in Alma 34, Amulek is teaching them the basic principles of the gospel, faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, prayer and the importance of good works. In Alma 34: 17-27 his teachings concerning prayer give me great comfort as well as an admonition in verse 27 to pray for “our own welfare as well as the welfare of those who are around us”. I know today that there are those who are around us that are in dire need of not only our prayers for their welfare, but also our good works in their behalf.
Another great lesson in prayer for me can be found just a few chapters later in Alma 37:36-37, here Alma is teaching his son Helaman concerning prayer:
36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.
I appreciate the admonition Alma gives to Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings another way to look at it is...to seek advice from the Lord in all our doings. The Bible Dictionary tells us that “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 (Matt. 7: 7-11). 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 that 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.”
What a wonderful gift our Heavenly Father has given his children, the opportunity to come to him in prayer, seeking his counsel, seeking his blessings for us, our families, and those who are around us. The key according to the Bible Dictionary is to align our will with the will of God. Prayer is the opportunity that we have daily to seek the Gods comfort in our lives.
Just like the words in Hymn #140:
“Oh how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day. So, when life gets dark and dreary, Don’t forget to pray.
Brother Kerry Johnson
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