This lesson on prayer is a sweet reminder of what prayer should be in our lives. Yes, we can talk about how prayer has blessed us, protected us, and helped us to know that God is truly there. I would like to go one step deeper into this most precious blessing in our lives.

Pres. Smith’s remembrance of learning how to pray as a child is actually very important. There is nothing more precious than seeing a one-year-old baby know to fold their arms for prayer. And when they reach the age of two-and-a-half-years, they always seem to be begging to say the prayer.

 

As mothers, teaching a child to pray is one of the most important things we can do.

 

 

 

There is a scripture found in Deut. 6:4-9, 12 that I have referred to many times while raising my children. The Lord is once again disappointed in the Jews’ lack of devotion. He tells Moses to keep reminding them WHO helped them escape Egypt, and HOW important it is to obey His commandments. This commandment reminds us of the importance of teaching our children how to do things that will make life better for us.

The verses tell us to remember our God, and to teach our children to always remember Him. In fact, they are shown a simple way to remember Him: to wear phylacteries between their eyes, and to post mezuzahs on their door, “lest thou forget the Lord” (verse 12).

 

(This is not part of the lesson, but I just think it’s interesting to know about.)

Those allowed to wear the phylacteries, or tefillin, are “males after the age of thirteen years and one day. Women are exempt from the obligation, as are also slaves and minors.” (These women, to the right, are doing what some women like to do–be men. But, to be honest, who wants to wear a micro mini top hat? Now if I could wear a jewel on my head instead, hummmm).

Inside the phylactery, as well as the Mezuzah, is the law that states the reason for wearing these items. The law is found in Ex. 13:1-10, 11-16 and Deut. 6:4-9, 11:13-21. These scriptures tell how their Lord saved them and

took them out of Egypt. It is a reminder who their God is and that they should always remember him  and keep his commandments. The Mezuzahs were placed at every door within, and without the dwelling, again, as a constant reminder.

 

 

 

 

 

We don’t live the Law of Moses anymore.We live the Higher Law; the law that we carry in our hearts.

 

In order to always remember the Lord we must always have a prayer in our heart. We no longer SHOULD have those physical reminders, because when we were baptized we promised to “always remember him, and keep his commandments…that [we] may always have his Spirit to be with [us].” (Moro. 4:3, 5:2)

This is why we pray. To have His Spirit with us always.

The story of the nine-year-old boy is really beautiful. This little boy was alone, but not alone. He knew where the source of his strength was. How interesting that the adults around him didn’t have the same confidence to pray to God, to ask Him for a blessing, to depend on Him in any way, to even thank Him for life itself.

“Let us so live that every night when we kneel to pray and every morning when we bow before the Lord in thanksgiving, there will be in us the power to open the heavens so that God will hear and answer our prayers that we will know that we are approved of Him.” (p. 96)

 

Every time we take the Sacrament, and listen to those prayers, we should be able to say, “I do always remember Him, and yes, I always feel His Spirit with me.”

So, we pray to remember God, to acknowledge Him, and thank Him. But why?

There are people who walk the earth never speaking to God. They don’t even know who He is. They seem to get along fine, or do they? Take some time to think what your life would be like if you didn’t consult your life with God. And maybe you could consult a little more of your life with God than you do? Do we really realize what He does for us? Do we realize the power that comes into us when we form a connection with our Maker? Do we ever thank Him enough?

Jewish tradition is cool to see, but somehow in the process of remembering the tradition, we often forget the testimony of the true purpose. Likewise, stories are wonderful, but nothing feeds the soul more than reading true doctrine from the scriptures. So many inspired thoughts come while reading these verses. Every one of the Related Scriptures (p. 101) are worth reading. And if you don’t have them underlined, take the time to do so.

When I pray at church, or over the food, there are things that I always tend to include. It’s pretty straightforward; not too flowery. But in my personal prayers, I ramble. There are a few specific regular requests mixed in with how I spent my day, what I want to accomplish, how much I blew it (again), where I really need to improve, but need special help to do it, because I just can’t do it on my own. And even though I express thanks and devotion, I’m just not sure it’s ever enough. One thing I need to spend more time on is listening. I feel it’s important to just sit quietly and listen for answers. They may come in the form of ideas, a voice, a feeling, maybe even a hug.

What I know is that because I pray, I know God loves me.