Prayer Day

Days like today are the reason that I keep on teaching Seminary. We talked about Alma 34, the verses that talk about prayer...why to pray...what to pray for...where to pray.

I told them about my son's car, how it bit the dust yesterday and how much he needs that car to be "healthy" because they have no money to fix it, and no money to buy a new one. I asked them if they thought this sick car was worthy of praying over. They agreed that it was - that would be something to pray for. I told them how I pled with Heavenly Father to please heal my son's car.

You can read it...starting with verse 17 in chapter 34 of Alma.

Then I prepared for them, throughout the church, their "secret places" and "wilderness" - closets, bathrooms, classrooms, foyers etc. I gave them this handout (thanks Donna)...

_________________your mountain or wilderness is
___________________________.
Please go there quietly and do not
disturb anyone else. Read this
statement and then spend 10 min. on
your own in prayer and quiet
meditation. Kneel and talk out loud if
you feel comfortable doing so.
Return to the class and quietly write
about your experience in your journal
till everyone has returned.

You are loved, and he is listening!

And this one...

“As you feel the need to confide in the Lord or to improve the quality of your visits with him—to pray, if you please—may I suggest a process to follow: go where you can be alone, go where you can think, go where you can kneel, go where you can speak out loud to him. The bedroom, the bathroom, or the closet will do. Now, picture him in your mind’s eye. Think to whom you are speaking, control your thoughts—don’t let them wander, address him as your Father and your friend. Now tell him things you really feel to tell him—not trite phrases that have little meaning, but have a sincere, heartfelt conversation with him. Confide in him, ask him for forgiveness, plead with him, enjoy him, thank him, express your love to him, and then listen for his answers. Listening is an essential part of praying. Answers from the Lord come quietly—ever so quietly. In fact, few hear his answers audibly with their ears. We must be listening so carefully or we will never recognize them. Most answers from the Lord are felt in our heart as a warm comfortable expression, or they may come as thoughts to our mind. They come to those who are prepared and who are patient.” (Bishop H. Burke Peterson, Ensign, Jan. 1974, 19)

And then I gave them about 10-15 minutes to pray and meditate.

Something amazing and wonderful and spiritual happened during those few minutes. Some of the kids found their way back in the 10 minutes - and then some I had to go find. As I was going to get them this is what I found...

On the stage, a young man kneeling in prayer
In the chapel, a young woman kneeling in prayer
In the overflow, a young man kneeling in prayer
In between the doors to the outside and the foyer, a young man kneeling in prayer

All over the church incredible young people were talking to Heavenly Father and I know that Heavenly Father was talking to them.

When they returned to the classroom, I had some music playing as they recorded their thoughts and impressions.

And then I said to them, "Do you know how much your Heavenly Father loves you?" "Do you know how much I love you?" And the spirit bore witness to me that is what Heavenly Father wanted them to know ~ that He loves them and that I love them.

The church truly was a sacred place today!