"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Day  #16

I am so grateful for the command to "pray always". Today, I find myself pleading that I don't get the flu...(not sure if I should laugh or cry over that, but I really don't want it after watching my son lay on the couch suffering for the past 4 days). Another way of saying this:

"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

"Praying always" is commanded not so that we pray for what we want, but it is about getting my will in line with God's will. So, rather than "begging" I don't get the flu, I still pray that I won't- and I include "but if not" (Daniel 3:18). When I do this, I am opening myself up to learning His ways, and learning how to be submissive to His will. 

Sometimes I get what I want, because it is in line. Other times I continue to "pray without ceasing"... His ways work. 

(Here's a great news article of what Elder Renlend learned from some of his patients, including "Pray without ceasing".)

"...apply the atoning blood of Christ " Mosiah 4:2

So, on my long ride this past weekend I forgot to put sunscreen on my legs. Don't ask me how I forgot my entire legs...but I pretty much did. Since I have been riding there always seems to be some spot or little place that I miss applying sunscreen. I really do not like the pain of sunburn. As I have pondered how to remember or make sure I put it all over I have come up with a few ideas of how this applies to life.

This is really simple. Apply "Son-screen" and you won't get burned. How does one apply "Son-screen" you might ask? We must first view ourselves in our "carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth". This means that we have the honest view of ourselves that we all need help, divine help. We all sin, or "miss spots" and get burned. Therefore, we must ask for help, and seek for forgiveness of our sins just as the people of King Benjamin did. They "cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God..." (Mosiah 4:2). Their desire was to have their hearts purified, and this was done by applying the atoning blood of Christ by having faith in Him, living the gospel, and relying upon grace that changes all of us as we repent and turn to Christ. This is applying "Son-screen".

To "apply the atoning blood of Christ" protects us and keeps us safe from the burns of life. Through applying "Son-screen" we repent of our sins, learn and follow truth, and as the Spirit becomes stronger in our lives through the application of "Son-screen" we are changed, even a "mighty change...that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually" (Mosiah 5:2).

For me, the best and most effective ways of applying "Son-screen" daily is to "search the scriptures" (see John 5:9; Jacob 7:3; Acts 17:11; 3 Nephi 10:14), pray always (see 3 Nephi 18:15; D&C 88:126; Luke 21:36), and to "live the gospel". Pres. Hinckley said, "Live the gospel. That is the greatest challenge we face. It is a simple declaration, but encompassed in those few words is a mandate applicable to each of us. It concerns our home and family life. It concerns our daily work. It concerns our activities and responsibilities as men and women, brothers and sisters, in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. ...Let us resolve within our hearts to more fully live the gospel" (Live the Gospel).

So, this may be simply said, but it is totally worth the time and effort: apply sunscreen daily. As we apply the "real stuff", the "Son-screen", we will be protected and find comfort in knowing that we won't have to endure the pain that comes from getting burned. And then you can really enjoy the ride!

Here are my legs after my long ride...yup I forgot to apply sunscreen on pretty much all my legs. 

"I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint..." 2 Nephi 32:9

(This scripture is for my children: Whom I love more than words can express, more than ideas can form, colors change, or I can even begin to explain. They are incredible beyond anything to me. Please know, Lara, Stockton, Ethan and Slade, that Heavenly Father is always available!) 

Scripture of the day is pretty straight forward: "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thess.5:17 But how does one do that without stopping everything and kneeling down and closing your eyes and praying? Well, it's really simple. You can talk with Heavenly Father in your mind, just like you talk with me. God is the only one that can know your thoughts and intents of your heart. D&C 6:16 That is right. No one else can know what you are thinking in your heart or mind. Only you and God have this special bond. This is a great blessing and a protection. 

So, you can be walking around in class, or in a store, or driving around in a car and praying for someone or praying for yourself even and having a conversation with God. You don't even have to close your eyes. He wants us to talk with Him and to communicate with Him about everything. He loves us and cares about us. I testify from my own experiences that He hears and answers even the shortest and sincerest of prayers. He hears us and is listening. I also know that He would prefer to actually have us talk with Him rather than have us rattle of some list of rote items we need and then end the conversation. 

One of our prophets, President Hinckley once said, "The trouble with most of our prayers is that we give them as if we were picking up the telephone and ordering groceries--we place our order and hang up. We need to meditate, contemplate, think of what we are praying about and for and then speak to the Lord as one man speaketh to another." Improving our Prayers, Joseph B. Wirthlin 

I promise you, if you take the time to actually talk with Him, don't just say something that is memorized, or things out of habit, but talk with Him from your heart and you will come to know, for yourself that He is there and that your prayers are being answered all of the time. He will help you with school, with your family, with anger, with pain, with loneliness, with your friends, with everything. He loves you. For you are His child. We are His children. This I testify.