Pray Anyways Even When You Dont Feel Like It
I feel like I say prayers all the time.
Before we eat, in my little boy's bedroom, and when we can, just as a couple.
A lot of times though, they are kind of rote prayers: blessing the food or blessing that we sleep well. In fact, we are having Slade (my 5 year old) say the prayers instead so he practices.
But in these last few years I feel that "I" personally just say prayers instead of actually praying and pleading with real intent to my Heavenly Father.
There are so many excuses that come to mind:
It's noisy
Someone needs you
You're too tired
You think you can handle it
You start forgetting
Maybe you're angry
No matter our reason, I think it's essential for us as mothers to have more meaningful prayers. The fact is, we can't do it alone...
I read an article once (that of course I can’t find again) about a mother who had like 5 kids and she was questioned all the time, “how do you do it?”. I only have TWO kids and even with 1, I ALWAYS asked myself how I could do it. Some days I really thought I couldn't do it and I shouldn't even have more kids.
What this mother of 5 realized and what I realized, is that we need to PRAY. We need to know that we really can't do it alone and we are not supposed to. We can receive the help we need by praying meaningfully.
"Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all of our doings, as we express heartfelt gratitude, and as we pray for others." - David A. Bednar
LOVE that!
He talks about these 3 things we should be doing:
Principle #1. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings.
Sometimes I actually forget that I can talk to Heavenly Father about ANYTHING! The burden of my dishes, the anguish of sibling fighting, the aching of a long day. I just need to TALK to Him and I know he will listen.
Principle #2. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we express heartfelt gratitude.
There is nothing better in this world than realizing we have SO much blessings to be thankful for. Sometimes when I find myself complaining a lot, I start to make a mental list in my head of all the things I am thankful for. Heavenly Father deserves our Thanks! He has already given us so much.
Principle #3. Prayer becomes more meaningful as we pray for others with real intent and a sincere heart.
Through my whole adventure in motherhood, I sometimes think I have been too selfish. I worry so much about my struggles and my wants that I sometimes forget to pray for others. I feel that if I start praying for others more, my own worries will lesson and Heavenly Father will take care of the burdens. There is nothing better than doing service to heal our own hearts and praying for others is certainly a service.
So there you go!
There is so much goodness inside that talk to you should totally read it or listen to it! Pray Always
I have a new challenge in my head to pray better. To be more meaningful in all the things I do and in all the things I say. I KNOW it will bring so many blessings to me and my family.
What are YOUR thoughts about praying? Anything that helps you keep it more meaningful? Please let me know!