Have You Tried Prayer? Patiently?

Did You Think to Pray?” is a wonderful LDS hymn that reminds us of the importance of frequent prayer. Daily prayer. For all of you, there are problems, pains, and threats facing you right now. Some of these challenges are far greater than you can handle on your own. Did you think to pray? Have you turned to God and prayed for guidance, wisdom, and insight?

He is there and does answer prayers, though rarely in the way we would expect if God were merely our magic genie and servant. If we understand that His goals involve our growth and transformation with an eternal persecutive, we may be more able to recognize His hand and His answers to prayer. But whether it is seeking help in the face of tragedy, making a difficult decision related to employment, marriage, or education, or seeking to understand how we can better live our lives and find happiness, He welcomes us when we turn to Him and is there to listen and reply, if we are patient and seek to listen.

The most important moments of my life have involved prayer. The most important steps forward in my life have come through prayer. Some of the biggest surprises and joys and have come through prayer, as well as some of the most painful rebukes. But I can testify that God is real and that He loves us, in spite of our sins and pettiness, and is there to help us advance and become happier people if we are willing.

Prayer definitely makes a difference. Often not the difference we want, but certainly the difference He wants, if we will listen in patience and faith.

Lyrics for “Did You Think to Pray?” (Hymn No. 140 in the LDS Hymn Book)

  1. 1. Ere you left your room this morning,

    Did you think to pray?

    In the name of Christ, our Savior,

    Did you sue for loving favor

    As a shield today?

  2. (Chorus)

    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.

  3. 2. When your heart was filled with anger,

    Did you think to pray?

    Did you plead for grace, my brother,

    That you might forgive another

    Who had crossed your way?

  4. 3. When sore trials came upon you,

    Did you think to pray?

    When your soul was full of sorrow,

    Balm of Gilead did you borrow

    At the gates of day?

  5. Text: Mary A. Pepper Kidder, 1820-1905

    Music: William O. Perkins, 1831-1902

Share:

Author: Jeff Lindsay

2 thoughts on “Have You Tried Prayer? Patiently?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.