Pray, Pray, Pray

Hello Friends,

Tonight as I lay here in my bed my thoughts turn to one of the most important principles in my life, Prayer. Prayer has always been such an important part of my life. As long as I can remember, I have had a strong testimony of the power of prayer. Throughout my life I have received answeres to so many prayers. I have received strength, comfort and guidance through prayer. And my testimony has been strengthened through prayer. I love to pray and I share with you my advice to pray and pray often. Develop a habit of prayer. Learn to love to pray and learn through experience the value of prayer. Pray for everything and never stop praying. Pray, pray, pray... HE will never tire of hearing your prayers.

As you might imagine, as I lay here, frustrated that I am unable to do so many of the things that I used to do, I have spent many, many, many hours in prayer. Each and every day I pray for so many things. I pray for all those who have been so good to us that they may be blessed. I pray for people who are struggling or ill that they may receive strength and health. I pray for my children that they will be able to deal with what they are having to go through and to have the strength to carry on through life without me. I pray that they will be able to make good choices in life. I pray that my husband will have the strength to take care of me and lift me and that his back will be strong. I pray that he will have the strength to carry on and deal with the pain of loosing me and that his faith will not fail. I pray for my mother and my brothers and sisters that they may have the strength to endure through their trials. I pray for those family members who have struggled in various ways throughout their lives that they may be able to turn their hearts to their Heavenly Father and allow him to strengthen them and lead and guide them. There are so many things that I pray for for all of you each and every day.

I also however, pray for myself. I pray for my pain that it may be lessened or that I may have the strength to endure it. I pray that I may have more time to spend with my family. I pray for the strength to be able to walk again and to be more independent. I pray for comfort when everything seems too much to bear. I pray that my fears and concerns will be lessened and that I may find comfort in knowing that everything will be okay. Many times I pray just to have the strength to get through just another day. But most of all I pray that I may have the strength and faith to accept the will of my Heavenly Father and submit myself to it. I also pray constantly to my Heavenly Father and thank Him for all the blessings in my life. I thank Him for my husband and children and their love, I thank him for the gospel and my testimony. I thank him for this beautiful world we live in and I thank him for my understanding of the gospel and that families can be together forever.

As part of my testimony of prayer, I know that our Heavenly Father hears and answers all of our prayers, even though sometimes the answer is no, and many times the answer only comes after the trial of our faith. I know that our Heavenly Father Loves us and that he knows what is best for us. Though I don't always know his purposes, I know that his will is right. I also know that sometimes there are things that we need to learn or refining that must take place in our lives that can only happen by being allowed to pass through trials and difficulties in our lives. Sometimes there are things that we have to learn that we may not even understand and many times we simply need to show that we have the faith and courage to persevere even when the answers to our prayers are not what we want. This life is a test, we are not here to become spoiled by having everything we desire as long as we live righteously. We are here to prove that we will do what is right and endure regardless of what is given to us or heaped upon us... but we are not alone. He is as close as a prayer. and even though we may not always have our trials removed from us, He will give us the strength or send us angels to help us through our trials. Many of you have been those angels who have been sent to us to help us through our trials, and I thank my Heavenly Father for you each and every day. May God Bless each of you.

I love you all
Love, Amy