Did you think to pray?

What if you could send your loved ones out the door each day with an extra layer of protection? Would you do it? Of course you would! So would I.

Yesterday morning I picked up my grandson to take to school. As we were leaving the house, his dad said, “Carson, shall we pray first?” Carson dropped to his knees and folded his arms while they prayed. Clearly, they did this a lot.

When I had children at home, I used to pray with each of them in the morning as they were heading out the door. I couldn’t let them go without it. When we send our family members off with a prayer, we give them God’s protecting power. The apostle Paul describes this power in terms of armor: the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit, and the helmet of salvation (see Ephesians 6:13-17). In other words, with a prayer, our children are covered and protected. What better gift could we give each day to those we love? Especially when we realize that they “wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12 KJV).

How amazing it is that God, the father of us all, the supreme being in the universe, gives us direct access to him. God knows us and loves us. We are his children, and he stands ready to help us whenever we ask. “In an uncertain world, there are some things that never change: the perfect love of our Heavenly Father for each of us; the assurance that He is there and will always hear us,” taught Richard G. Scott, apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Our prayers can be formal, in which we kneel and speak, or our prayers can be silent, a yearning for God’s help. I remember going to sleep, hearing the murmur of my parents’ voices as they knelt together in their bedroom for their nightly prayers. First, I would hear my mother’s quiet treble voice, a pause for a kiss, then my father’s baritone as they prayed for themselves, for us, and for our friends.

Sometimes a spoken prayer is just what is needed. In our early years, my husband and I moved to New York City for his job. I was looking for work and had three job offers. I wasn’t sure which one to choose, so I called my dad. “Have you prayed about it?” he asked. Of course I had, but mostly in my thoughts. So I knelt to pray and ask God for his wisdom. In that moment, one of the jobs came clear to my thoughts, so I called and accepted that job. It was a wonderful opportunity in which I could immediately contribute, and my colleagues were genuine and capable.

Spoken prayers are important, but God also hears our silent prayers. The apostle Paul taught, “The Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered,” in Romans 8:26 KJV. Prayer can be silent as our soul yearns for God, as described in this hymn by James Montgomery: “Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed: The motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.” I can’t count how many times I have fallen into bed exhausted, and poured out my soul to God there, in my exhaustion and need.

My friend Sondra describes how she finds peace through prayer. “There is only one place I find ultimate peace. Sometimes it takes time to find it…. I turn to [God] and pour out the messy contents of my heart, asking Him to help me find peace. I talk with Him, I cry with Him, I wait with Him, I listen for thoughts and feelings He may give me. I often open the words of God and read them looking for peace, answers, meaning. I believe He will help me. I believe He can give me peace even if I don’t understand all things. And He does. He always has. It has not always come right away, but if I stay open for His answers, for His guidance, and trust Him patiently, He always gives me peace.”

That peace that comes from prayer is unlike any other. Prayer is worth the time, the effort, the sacrifice. God wants to bless us. I love Mary Pepper Kidder’s hymn on prayer:

“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?

Oh, how praying rests the weary.

Prayer can change the night to day.

So when life gets dark and dreary,

Don’t forget to pray.”

Beth Wright loves the Mat Su Valley, the snow, the sunrise, and the wonderful people here. She tries to follow Jesus Christ and loves being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.