Since we replaced our wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors and scratchy area rugs, I’ve resorted to using a folded-up fleece blanket to cushion my knees, but this is my first stop every morning. Have you ever wondered how it could be possible to “pray always” as Christ teaches? Kinda like the commandment to “Be Perfect”–not in this lifetime! But David A. Bednar provides some encouraging counsel:
There may be things in our character, in our behavior, or concerning our spiritual growth about which we need to counsel with Heavenly Father in morning prayer. …
“During the course of the day, we keep a prayer in our heart for continued assistance and guidance. …
“We notice during this particular day that there are occasions where normally we would have a tendency to speak harshly, and we do not; or we might be inclined to anger, but we are not. We discern heavenly help and strength and humbly recognize answers to our prayer. Even in that moment of recognition, we offer a silent prayer of gratitude.
“At the end of our day, we kneel again and report back to our Father. We review the events of the day and express heartfelt thanks for the blessings and the help we received. We repent and, with the assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, identify ways we can do and become better tomorrow. Thus our evening prayer builds upon and is a continuation of our morning prayer. And our evening prayer also is a preparation for meaningful morning prayer.
“Morning and evening prayers—and all of the prayers in between—are not unrelated, discrete events; rather, they are linked together each day and across days, weeks, months, and even years. This is in part how we fulfill the scriptural admonition to ‘pray always’ (Luke 21:36.) Such meaningful prayers are instrumental in obtaining the highest blessings God holds in store for His faithful children” (“Pray Always,” Ensignor Liahona, Nov. 2008, 41–42).
Prayer–the key to growing an attitude of gratitude!
Related posts:
http://writingcanvas.wordpress.com/2013/11/07/thankful-thursday-heartaches-thankfulness/
http://syl101.com/2013/11/07/what-gratitude-has-taught-me-and-another-announcement/
http://prayercommunicationwithgod.wordpress.com/
http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/11/08/weekly-photo-challenge-habit/
Well said, I can’t imagine a day without prayer. On the blanket issue. I made myself a prayer mat some 20 odd years ago. It is burgandy velvet and has a cross of gold ribbon on the top right corner. It is inscribed with the Word that says, every knee shall bow. I’m amazed it’s lasted so long. 🙂
Excellent!
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