"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Without going into any details, let me just say that this week has been more than I have been able to comprehend in a lot of ways. Yes, it has been a trial, a burden if you will. Yet, I have felt that my burden has been made lighter by so many kind, good, humble, diligent, faith-filled people . I know that God has heard my supplication, even my request for help from Him (see supplication).  To me, I know that God has sent angels to lift my burden and make it lighter (see Mosiah 18:8), most of whom have no idea they have even done this lifting.

I love these verses: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

One of the reasons I love this is it reminds me to not worry and "don't be unduly concerned about anything" (Phil. 4:6a). I'm working on not letting my runaway thinking of the "what if's" take over; but rather to "meditate upon these things;  [to] give [myself] wholly to them; that [my] profiting may appear to all" (1 Tim. 4:15). Meditating and pondering on the things of God helps me to calm my heart, clear my mind of fear, and focus on His power to guide and comfort me (see ponder). Meditation is a gift of calm and quieting the heart. I highly recommend it.

Another reason I love this verse is because of the advice to pray and supplicate the Lord with thanksgiving. Offering thanks has been a great blessing to me, especially in times it seems when all I see is "through a glass darkly" (1 Corinthians 13:12). Praying with thanksgiving is very humbling when I am in what seems to be a dark abyss. It helps me see the truth and reality that I am in a world filled with light and peace (see Luke 1:79). Giving thanks is a reminder that indeed, "I have been given much" and therefore, "much is required" (D&C 82:3; see also Luke 12:48).

I can testify of the truth of the words, "The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." When I petition, and supplicate the Lord for His help, I must be open to receive this gift, "even peace in this world" (D&C 59:23). His peace does pass all understanding as I keep my focus on Christ, letting go of fear, and trusting Him that all things shall work together for my good (see D&C 98:3; D&C 100:15; Romans 8:28). It's not easy. But it's the "good way" of going through the tough stuff  "therein, and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Jeremiah 6:16). This I testify. 

Christ makes it possible for me to see through the dark, for light is always brighter. 

"[Charity] beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth" (1 Cor.13:7-8)

I have been asking a lot lately:

"Why is my pain perpetual, and my wound incurable, which refuseth to be healed" (Jeremiah 15:18)?!

I'm not sure I like the answer, but sometimes we are just given hard things to bear...so that we can learn to "bear all things" (see Moroni 7:45; 1 Cor. 13:7). Bear means to hold up or carry. And for some, they get to "carry" their pain their whole life. But is that who they are, their pain? I don't want to be known for my pain.

As the pain has continued I have stopped asking the "why me" questions. I am learning that pain is not about pain, which is so easy to focus on when it is unrelenting. When the pain first started I would pray and beg Heavenly Father to take the pain away. When the pain didn't go away, my prayers changed and I would beg Him to let me die. When I didn't die, my prayers changed again, and I prayed for help to endure the pain. With doctors and medicine I am learning how to endure it, but it comes again, bringing me and my life to a screeching halt. And so my prayers are changing yet again. I am now praying "unto the Father with all the energy of [my] heart, that [I] may be filled with [charity], which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ (Moroni 7:48).

Why pray for charity to help me deal with pain? Because "[charity] beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth" (1 Cor.13:7-8). With charity, I can "carry" all things because charity will not fail me or you (1 Cor. 13:8; see also Moroni 7:46-47). Charity isn't going to quit when the pain gets unbearable because it bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things (see Moroni 7:45; 1 Cor. 13:7).

I always believed charity was only about loving others. I am learning charity is also about pain. The reason charity is given to those "who are true followers of ...Jesus Christ"; it is also given so those true followers "may become the sons [and daughters] of God; that when He shall appear we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as He is pure" (Moroni 7:48). As I pray with all my heart for charity when I am in pain, then I am able to be changed, even as He is.

I am not my pain, but because of it, I am changed.

With Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) my foot will change color from the nerves always firing. 

These are scars from the surgery that went really well and I have  recovered from it. But, I developed CRPS about 2 weeks after, and that is a whole different level and issue of pain. 

Everyone tells me it's a "cool scar"...I guess that's something good from it (haha)

Just an FYI: Riding my trike helps with the pain...I just really hope I will be able to ride it more than 15-20 minutes on the trainer again some day....This is where "charity...hopeth all thing". Another reason to pray for charity.

"...let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you" Alma 34:27

At this time I have two children serving missions. My daughter is serving in England and my son is serving in Argentina (you can read their emails here and here). I get to hear from them through email once a week while they are on their missions. I can't tell you how excited I get to hear from them, hear how they are doing and all the good and hard things they experience each week. It is such a great feeling to read their letters and see how happy they are while serving Jesus Christ and teaching others of Him.

The other day, as I was praying, I wondered if this is what Heavenly Father feels like when we pray, or communicate with Him. He wants to hear from us, daily- always! We are taught over and over: "Pray always" (for example: Luke 21:36; D&C 19:38; D&C 88:126; 2 Nephi 32:9; 3 Nephi 18:15). When we pray always we draw closer to God, we open ourselves up to His protection and direction. He wants to hear from us!

Heavenly Father wants to hear how we are doing and what we are doing. I think that Amulek said it best about what we should be talking with God over, for, and about. He taught:

"Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him. Cry unto him when ye are in your fields...over all your flocks. Cry unto him in your houses, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening. ...Cry unto him against the power of your enemies. ...Cry unto him against the devil, who in an enemy to all righteousness. Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them. Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase. But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. ...and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you" (Alma 34:19-27)

As a parent who gets to hear from my children once a week while they are on their missions and the joy that I have in hearing from them, I can only imagine the joy that Heavenly Father has as He hears from us, for we are physically apart from Him, just as I am separated physically from my children.

When my children email me, they will ask for items, support, prayers, and encouragement. They ask for things that are temporal and spiritual. Heavenly Father wants us to ask him for those same temporal and spiritual things that we need in our lives that will help us and lift us. A prophet taught that we should be "asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive" (Alma 7:23). Our Father in Heaven cares about us more than we can imagine. He wants to help us, and it is made possible when we ask.

As a parent I find great joy in hearing from my children. I know that our Father in Heaven wants to hear from us too. "Pray, He is there; Speak, He is listening. You are his child; His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayer; He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom... of heaven" (A Child's Prayer). He's waiting to hear from you daily. I know that praying not only brings great joy to our Father in Heaven, but also to us as we feel his love surround us as our prayers are answered. This I testify.

My daughter- serving in the England Birmingham mission

My son- serving in the Argentina Buenos Aires South mission

"He did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for strength against the time that the robbers should come down against them" (3 Nephi 3:12)

In my scripture study today, reading about the Gadianton robbers and the Nephites who were trying to protect themselves from the robbers (see 3 Nephi 3) led me to ponder "robbers" in our day. We have robbers of all kinds, they sneak into our homes and rob us of virtue, peace, family, joy, liberty, and many other God given gifts. But there are ways to protect ourselves from these robbers.  Here are some thoughts about how to protect our families from the robbers in our day:

The Nephite governor, Lachoneous, "was a just man, and could not be frightened by the demands and the threatening of the a robber" (3 Nephi 3:12). I love that the leader of the righteous people was not frightened by a robber. As a parent, and governors of our homes, we too, do not need to be frightened by the robbers who want to steal away our peace, safety, and freedom. Rather than succumb to fear, we can act as the governor did. "He did cause that his people should cry unto the Lord for strength against the time that the robbers should come down against them" (3 Nephi 3:12). I love this! We have been given great advice by our prophets to gather our families in prayer. "Never hesitate to gather your family around you for your prayers, especially in those times when more than morning and evening family prayer is needed. Extra needs require extra prayers" (Pres. Spencer W. Kimball). Crying unto the Lord for strength offers us protection against the robbers that are waiting to steal all that is precious from us.

United in learning offers protection 

Another point that jumped out at me was that the governor didn't just pray and then wait for God to do all the work. No, the governor then acted by "gathering together [his people], their flocks, and herds, and all their substance...unto one place" (3 Nephi 3:13). I see this as the same advice we have had from our leaders to protect our families by gathering together for Family Home Evening each week and teach correct principles that keep us safe from these "robbers". I like what Elder Scott had to say about gathering together for family home evening. "The structure of your evening is not as important as the time invested. The gospel should be taught both formally and informally. Make it a meaningful experience for each member of the family. Family home evening is a precious time to bear testimony in a safe environment; to learn teaching, planning, and organizational skills; to strengthen family bonds; to develop family traditions; to talk to each other; and more important, to have a marvelous time together!" (Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority). Gathering our families together offers great protection against those robbers who seek to destroy our homes. This gathering of our families can extend beyond our immediate family to the gathering of loved ones, friends, neighbors, and communities. Uniting together strengthens ties, bonds, and love for each other. When correct principles are taught, we gain the courage to govern ourselves when we are threatened by "robbers".

The next thing the governor of the land did was: "he caused that fortifications should be built round about them, and the strength thereof should be exceedingly great" and then "he caused that armies...should be placed as guards round about to watch them, and to guard them from the robbers day and night" (3 Nephi 3:14). We too must put "fortifications" around our homes and families and guard them against robbers. Putting filters in place helps with the robbers that come through the internet. But ultimately we must teach our children to be their own guards of their spirituality and purity by aiding them in gaining a powerful testimony of the saving power of Jesus Christ. Sister Linda S. Reeves taught this powerful truth. "Brothers and sisters, how do we protect our children and youth? Filters are useful tools, but the greatest filter in the world, the only one that will ultimately work, is the personal internal filter that comes from a deep and abiding testimony our our Heavenly Father's love and our Savior's atoning sacrifice for each one of us" (Protection from Pornography- A Christ-Focused Home).

We don't need to be afraid of the robbers that are waiting to "sally forth from the hills, and out of the mountains, and the wilderness, and their strongholds, and their secret places" (3 Nephi 4:1). No. We "cry unto the Lord for strength against the time that the robbers should come down against [us]" (3 Nephi 3:12)  and then we prepare. For "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear" (D&C 38:30). I know that we are made strong as we govern our families in faith and press forward as we act upon the council that has been given to us from the Lord. It is a great comfort to me as a mother to know that I need not fear the robbers that are there, but that we will be strengthened, protected, guided, and aided through the wars that are ahead as we live the testimonies we have of the power of Jesus Christ. This I testify.

Gathering with family and loved ones...definitely good protection with this bunch!

Love gathering together with grandma and grandpa!

"Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good" D&C 90:24

Asking for help can be one of the hardest things we have to do. And sometimes, the fact that we need help is staring us in the face, but we won't ask...for whatever reason, is pretty humbling. Other times we just want to be able to do it all by ourselves, or we think we have to do it all by our selves and shouldn't have to ask for any help. It was never the plan for us to do it on our own.

Heavenly Father has given us a tool that helps us with this problem of asking for help. This is simply called prayer. "The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that we must ask for in order to obtain" (The Guide to the Scriptures). Praying isn't just reciting words that are the same, said over and over again. This would be called "vain repetition" (see Matt 6:7; 3 Nephi 13:7). It is a real conversation that takes place between us and our Father in Heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ " (see John 14:13-14). Sometimes the challenge isn't so much talking and telling our Father in Heaven what we want as it is to listen and then act upon the answer received. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, that assuredly as the Lord liveth, who is your God and your Redeemer, even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive" (D&C 8:1).

As I ponder these words, that we surely shall receive a knowledge of whatsoever we ask in faith, what then? I believe the biggest challenge isn't receiving answers to prayers but accepting the answer given and then doing our part which is to "follow [Christ], and do the things which ye have seen [Him] do" (2 Nephi 31:12). When we receive the answer to "endure to the end" (see 3 Nephi 15:9; 2 Nephi 31:16; D&C 14:7) in the most difficult circumstances, it does mean to follow the example of Christ and keep pressing forward. Christ didn't give up, but endured to the end as He finished every last drop of the "bitter cup" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland) "without becoming bitter" (Elder Neal A. Maxwell). Sometimes, I admit, I want to be done with something. I don't like how hard it is or how difficult it is and most definitely how long it is taking or how long it is going to take (an entire life time). But, on days like that, honestly, the only thing that keeps me going, is the thought and knowledge that there is more than I can see.

Elder Russel M. Nelson said it beautifully when he said, "Eternal perspective provides peace 'which passeth all understanding.' (Philip. 4:7). In speaking at a funeral of a loved one, the Prophet Joseph Smith offered this admonition: "When we lose a near and dear friend, upon whom we have set our hearts, it should be a caution unto us. ...Our affections should be placed upon God and His work, more intensely than upon our fellow beings. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 216)" (Doors of Death). The affections of our heart will lead us, as we place them in their proper place, upon God, and we will receive answers to our prayers and get the help that we need. When our hearts are in the proper place our wills are aligned with the will of God and we won't "ask amiss" (James 4:3) but will be able to "ask in faith" and "do not ask for that which [we] ought not" (D&C 8:10).

Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ love us. They are waiting and wanting to help us do those things that will lead us back to them. They hear and answer our prayers. What a beautiful way for us to communicate with Them who love us beyond compare (see Romans 5:8). "Pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another" (D&C 90:24). This I testify is how to get through life, simply by communication with God through prayer and then acting in faith as He surely will and does answer.

"The song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads" D&C 25:12

Every night our family does what we call "Scripture, Song, and Prayer", but not in that order. We each have a night that we get to choose a "Primary Song" and then we say family prayer together and then the family member whose night it is gets to pick a scripture that we have memorized or we are working on memorizing to recite together. This has become a nightly family tradition. Over the past few years we have been doing it we have learned, or sung some of our children's favorite primary songs or hymns. Now, it hasn't always been love and harmony. There have been some nights when a child or two were fighting with each other and they would refuse to sing. So, the penalty that the kids came up with was the offender had to sing a solo. That usually made  that child's mood change...from angry to calm. Not necessarily all cheery, but markedly better. Music has a profound effect on people. It has the power to calm the soul or to rile the spirit. Throughout the years there have been a couple of primary songs that are my favorites. Here are the words to them:

"My life is a gift, my life has a plan. My life has a purpose, in heaven it began.
My choice was to come to this lovely home on earth,
and seek for God's light to direct me from birth.
I will follow God's plan for me holding fast to His word and His love.
I will work, and I will pray; I will always walk in His way.
Then I will be happy on earth, and in my home above."
(I Will Follow God's Plan #144)


I want to be kind to every one, for that is right, you see.
So I say to myself, "Remember this: Kindness begins with me."
(Kindness Begins With Me #145b)


I share this with you because music has the power to influence our lives in a very powerful way. It can bring peace to our souls and minds. In the scriptures we are taught: "The song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads" (D&C 25:12.) When you are in need of help, want peace, or need answers as a parent or as a child, but perhaps don't know exactly what to ask for or even how to pray about it, sing a hymn or a primary song. Sing from you heart and soul because you are praying to God, our Father in Heaven who loves you and desires to help you.

Before Christ went out to with His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, or the mount of Olives, "they had sung an hymn" (Matt. 26:30; Mark 14:26.) The Savior of the world was united in singing with His disciples before the greatest event that would ever take place, unbeknownst to His disciples at that time. I wonder if they sang for strength for Christ or if Christ sang for strength for them?

I did a scripture search for "sing" and there are 196 results. We are to "Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises" (Psalms 47:6.) So the next time you are in church and you hold back because you are afraid someone will hear you actually sing, sing louder. Sing to God, sing those praises! You need those prayers answered! And the Lord wants to hear from you. Where else can you be loud and wonderful and, by golly, who cares if your voice cracks? I know that the Lord sure doesn't. He LOVES it when we sing hymns. In our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we get to sing often. Think about what a blessing that is to be able to audibly "pray" in that way to our Father in Heaven, "united in mighty prayer" (3 Nephi 27:1.)

Music can be powerful and is a gift from God. It can be a beautiful way of worshiping Him who is "mighty to save" (Alma 34:18.) The Lord says: "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (D&C 88:63.) We can draw nearer to Him as we sing praises to Him during our church services as well as in our minds and in our hearts. Have our minds filled with Hymns, words of praise and worship. This I testify will bring greater peace and joy in your life.

"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 1:7

A very dear friend of mine and family member shared with me his experience of joining The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had been attending The Church for approximately 6 years and had finally decided he either needed to join or stop attending. He spent many hours on a rock by the sea waiting for an answer about whether or not it was true. I asked him about this experience because I wanted to know if he had received an answer to his prayers that day. He remarked that he didn't receive an answer that day, but joined The Church anyway. He then said the answer came after he joined.

I continue to ponder this experience of my friend. He was willing to change his entire life without a "clear answer." He sacrificed a great deal to join The Church. He was rejected by his family and his mother never spoke to him again before she died. He did all of this on an act of faith. He ended up receiving his answer. It was after he was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He told me that sometimes you receive answers "after the trial of your faith".

We all want our prayers to be answered. And wouldn't it be so wonderful if they were answered in miraculous ways and clearly laid out so there was no mistaking what God wanted us to do? Not really, because we would be short changed of the growth that comes from exercising faith in our Father in Heaven and in His Son, Jesus Christ. "...The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth" (1 Peter 1:7). More precious than gold.  You can't buy faith. And faith is more valuable than gold.

You know, people pay a lot of money for education, especially a private education. A private elementary education can cost as much as college tuition. That's pricey. There is a way to get a private education though, with no cost to you, except your time, and sacrifice of heart. That private education  is of course from the Lord.

 "For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend and ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have."

(2 Nephi 28:30; see also Isaiah 28:10)

He wants us to learn of Him (D&C 19:23) and sometimes the only way to be educated about Him is to have a "trial of our faith", for His people will be a "tried in all things" (D&C 136:31), and this includes our faith. Having had my own faith tried and knowing that I am being educated by the Master, this I testify, is what makes life good, filled with joy, and "more precious than gold", even when it is hard. 

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6

Last night after writing about "receiving" I kept thinking about it. I would wake up and think about it and in the morning I was thinking about it. In the Topical Guide under "receive" it says: "see also Accept". So, perhaps what I need to be asking myself about receiving is, "what am I willing to accept" and "what do I want to accept?" There are a lot of things I think I want, but then I get them and they are a lot of responsibility and I wish I hadn't received or accepted them. Or there have been things that I have not wanted and then received and thought, "why did I wait so long?"

I know that Heavenly Father lets us totally choose what we want to receive. He will never give us more than we can bear (see 1 Cor. 10:13, Alma 13:28) and He will also give us what we want. The question really is, do we really want the responsibility that comes with what we ask for? We are told 33 times in the scriptures "ask and ye shall receive". I am sure there are other forms of asking and receiving as well, such as " ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matt. 7:7). I think sometimes we ask, but not with real intent, meaning we really don't intend to do anything about the stuff we are asking about, we are just saying words, and then we go about our day.

For example, do I really want to have a relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ? And if I do, what am I willing to do about it? Am I willing to actually read the scriptures everyday? How about trying to live as they live? What am I willing to give up so that I can feel the Spirit more frequently in my life so I can have the Spirit with me and therefore have better communication with my Father in Heaven? It requires sacrifice. So, if I pray to have a better relationship with Heavenly Father, am I just saying words or do I really want to have a better relationship with Him? What do I intend to do about it?

Another example. I want to learn a new skill, such as playing the piano. I hear people all the time say, "I wish I could play like that." Do they really? Because it takes hours of practice and sacrifice of time and money to become a good piano player. It is never too late to begin to play...my dad, who is 71 years old, started to take piano lessons at the age of 70. He is doing pretty darn well. He had a desire to learn and asked for guidance, has put in the effort and practiced, and taken lessons and the doors have been opened for him to learn to play the piano at age 71! I know that receiving isn't just about getting what we want when we want it and doing nothing for it. Most often what we really want requires sacrifice...and I promise that sacrifice is so worth it in the long run!

One of my favorite scriptures is D&C 82:10 which reads, "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise." He is totally bound to us when we keep His commandments. He is committed to us and has to do as we ask of Him when we are obedient to His commandments. That is very powerful! He will give us the desires of our hearts! The question to ask isn't, "what will He give me', because He is going to give it to you, but "What do I really want to accept?"

My last thought about receiving for the night/day is this: "Be careful for nothing (because He is always giving us something, remember the question is, what did I receive or perhaps chose not to receive from the challenge? Was it the blessing of kindness? Honesty? Service? Perhaps patients?) but in every thing  by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philip. 4:6) You will receive what you ask for, make sure it is what you really want. This I testify is how to get what you really want out of life. Because life is literally filled with blessings just waiting for us to "accept" them. 

"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.