Answers to Prayer

Where can I get an answer to prayers? Back East Up North Out West Down South

Jake, the rancher, went one day to fix a distant fence. The wind was cold and gusty and the clouds rolled gray and dense, As he pounded the last nail in and gathered tools to go. The temperature had fallen and the snow began to blow. When he finally reached his pickup, he felt a heavy heart, from the sound of that ignition, he knew it wouldn't start.

So Jake did what most of us do if we'd have been there. He humbly bowed his balding head and sent aloft a prayer. As he turned the key for the last time, he softly cursed his luck. They found him three days later, frozen stiff in that old truck. Now Jake had been around in life and done his share of roamin'. But when he saw Heaven, he was shocked -- it look just like Wyomin'.

Of all the saints in Heaven, his favorite was St. Peter. Now, this line, it ain't needed but it helps with rhyme and meter. So they set and talked a minute or two, or maybe it was three, Nobody was keepin' score -- in Heaven time is free. "I've always heard," Jake said to Pete, "that God will answer prayers, But one time I asked for help, well He, just plain wasn't there. Does God answer prayers of some, and ignores the prayers of others? That don't seem exactly square -- I know all men are brothers.

Or does he randomly reply, without good rhyme or reason? Maybe, it's the time of day, the weather or the season. Now I ain't trying to act smart, it's just the way I feel, And I was wonderin', could you tell -- what the heck's the deal? Peter listened very patiently and when Jake was done, There were smiles of recognition, and he said, "So, you're the one! That day your truck, it wouldn't start, and you sent your prayer a flying, You gave us all a real bad time, with hundreds of us a trying.

A thousand angels rushed to check the status of your file, But you know, Jake, we hadn't heard from you in quite a while And though all prayers are answered, and God ain't got no quota, He didn't recognize your voice, and started a truck in North Dakota. Moral of the story: Pray Early...Pray Often

Doctrines associated with prayer  Can you change God’s mind through prayer?  What is the purpose of prayer?  Bible Dictionary (pg 753)  Do you believe in the prayer barrier?  Why don’t some prayers break the prayer barrier? Why do some prayers ‘work’ and others don’t?

“Petitioning in prayer has taught me, again and again, that the vault of heaven with all its blessings is to be opened only by a combination lock. One tumbler falls when there is faith, a second when there is personal righteousness; the third and final tumbler falls only when what is sought is God’s will. Sometimes we pound on the vault door for something we want very much and wonder why the door does not open. We would be very spoiled children if that vault door opened any more easily that it does. I can tell, looking back, that God truly loves me by inventorying the petitions He has refused to grant me. Our rejected petitions tell us much about ourselves but also much about our flawless Father” (Elder Maxwell, “Insights,” New Era, Apr. 1978, 6).

 Enos 1:1-8  Vs 1-2: wrestle BEFORE God  Vs 3-4: did Enos kneel down all day long? What’s the longest you’ve prayed?  Vs 5-6: Language of Prayer  Vs 7-8: How do you know you’ve repented?

1. A wrestle with sorrow (2 Cor. 7:10) 2. A wrestle with guilt President Spencer W. Kimball: “There must be a consciousness of guilt. It cannot be brushed aside. It must be acknowledged and not rationalized away…There must be a prickling of conscience, perhaps sleepless hours, eyes that are wet.” (Teachings of SWK, 87).

3. A wrestle with time “Often the Lord requires a period of time passing before lifting the burden of sin” (Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 210). 4. A wrestle in prayer “No casual prayer; no worn phrases; no momentary appeal. All the day long, with seconds turning into minutes, and minutes into hours. Repentance is not a single act nor forgiveness an unearned gift. Communication with and approval from the Redeemer determines a soul to press on without ceasing (Faith Precedes the Miracle, Kimball, 211).

“[The Lord] declared, ‘Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more’ (D&C 58:42). “Satan will try to make us believe that our sins are not forgiven because we can remember them. Satan is a liar; he tries to blur our vision and lead us away from the path of repentance and forgiveness. God did not promise that we would not remember our sins. Remembering will help us avoid making the same mistakes again. But if we stay true and faithful, the memory of our sins will be softened over time. This will be part of the needed healing and sanctification process” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 101).

 Choose one of the following hymns:  “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer” (Hymns, no. 26)  “Be Thou Humble” (no. 130)  “Did You Think to Pray?” (no. 140)  “Sweet Hour of Prayer” (no. 142)  “Secret Prayer” (no. 144)  “Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Hymn)  Read the words of their hymn and look for three important principles taught in that hymn.  Video

“By pondering, we give the Spirit an opportunity to impress and direct. Pondering is a powerful link between the heart and the mind… If we … ponder, we can take these eternal truths and realize how we can incorporate them into our daily actions” (Marvin J. Ashton, Ensign, November 1987, 20). “We should live so as to deem it (prayer) one of the greatest privileges accorded to us… “It matters not whether you or I feel like praying… If we do not feel like it, we should pray till we do” (Brigham Young, Discourses, ).

“The scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed dramatically, in an instant, as it were… “But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples. Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more than the rule. “For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the process of repentance much more subtle, much more imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little realizing they are building a Godlike life” (Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, October 1989).

 Read Enos 1:9–10, and mark in your scriptures whom Enos prayed for; then read Enos 1:11–14 to see who else he prayed for.  What principle is there?

“Any time we experience the blessings of the Atonement in our lives, we cannot help but have a concern for the welfare of our brethren. … “A great indicator of one’s personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others” (The Teachings of Howard W. Hunter, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1997], 248–49).

Share a spiritually defining moment/testimony solidifying time in your life. Your own “Enos moment”

a. Like Enos, I desire to receive a remission of my sins. I will show the Lord I am sincere in this desire by … b. Like Enos, I desire to help my family members and friends come unto Jesus Christ. One person I will seek to help is (person’s name). I will seek to help this person by … c. Enos prayed for the Lamanites, who could be considered his enemies. Like Enos, I want to show the Lord’s love toward those who are unkind to me. One way I will do this is …

vs 27- Enos writes his own eulogy. REMEMBER…  Enos 1:5 Thy sins are forgiven thee  Enos 1:7 Enos asks "how is it done?"  Enos 1:8 Lord answers "Because of they faith in Christ."

Answers to Prayer