Ezra Taft Benson“Pray Always” .
“I would humbly urge all...to keep in close touch with our Father in Heaven through prayer.”
It was told that when President Benson was the Secretary of Agriculture, he was able to implement the practice of having prayer at the beginning of each meeting. Every person was given the opportunity to pray, and though some were hesitant at first, it became easier as time went on. When the question was asked whether the practice was helpful, the answer was “Well I’d say that when you start a meeting that way, people aren’t stuck up with the pride of their opinions. You pretty quickly come to an agreement as to what ought to be done in any situation.”
“President Benson’s Brethren in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also benefited from his prayerful nature. President Gordon B. Hinckley, who served as President Benson’s First Counselor in the First Presidency, said:
‘I have knelt with him and heard him pray.’
‘His prayers were always interesting. Almost without exception, they consisted for the most part of expressions of thanks. He asked for very little. He expressed gratitude for very much. His family also added in his support in all that he did.’
At one conference where he was called upon to speak, it is told of his small daughter asking to pass her message on down the row, ”Pray for Dad”. A guest who was with the family thought for a bit and continued the request “Pray for Dad”.
At times we will feel and pray with gratitude in our hearts as Heavenly Father blesses us with callings so we will have the opportunities to experience lessons we need. For example the calling of teaching Seminary later in life, increases the knowledge perhaps not gained while in our youth.
The lesson emphasized five points to think about.
PRAY FREQUENTLY: Have a heart open to give thanks and share your desires with Heavenly Father.
FIND AN APPROPRIATE PLACE TO PRAY, FREE FROM DISTRACTIONS.
PREPARE OURSELVES FOR PRAYER: Be aware of the frame of mind we have and pray for the ability to accept the will of God. If we don’t feel like praying, keep praying until we do feel like praying.
PRAYER SHOULD BE MEANINGFUL: Pray with feeling and sincere intent, even if we are asking for the same needs. Confess His hand in all things. With the help of the Holy Ghost we will know for what we should pray. (See Romans 8:26-27)
WAIT AND LISTEN: For a time after the pray is finished.
WHEN WE PRAY IN THE TEMPLE: Wait for an answer or a manifestation, a feeling, or a burden that we are trying to have lifted can be taken from us.
PRAYER IS A POWER that makes all things possible through God.
“Remember that whatever you do or wherever you are, you are never alone”, President Benson’s father counseled him as a boy. You can reach out and receive His aid through prayer.
“I would humbly urge all...to keep in close touch with our Father in Heaven through prayer.”
It was told that when President Benson was the Secretary of Agriculture, he was able to implement the practice of having prayer at the beginning of each meeting. Every person was given the opportunity to pray, and though some were hesitant at first, it became easier as time went on. When the question was asked whether the practice was helpful, the answer was “Well I’d say that when you start a meeting that way, people aren’t stuck up with the pride of their opinions. You pretty quickly come to an agreement as to what ought to be done in any situation.”
“President Benson’s Brethren in the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles also benefited from his prayerful nature. President Gordon B. Hinckley, who served as President Benson’s First Counselor in the First Presidency, said:
‘I have knelt with him and heard him pray.’
‘His prayers were always interesting. Almost without exception, they consisted for the most part of expressions of thanks. He asked for very little. He expressed gratitude for very much. His family also added in his support in all that he did.’
At one conference where he was called upon to speak, it is told of his small daughter asking to pass her message on down the row, ”Pray for Dad”. A guest who was with the family thought for a bit and continued the request “Pray for Dad”.
At times we will feel and pray with gratitude in our hearts as Heavenly Father blesses us with callings so we will have the opportunities to experience lessons we need. For example the calling of teaching Seminary later in life, increases the knowledge perhaps not gained while in our youth.
The lesson emphasized five points to think about.
PRAY FREQUENTLY: Have a heart open to give thanks and share your desires with Heavenly Father.
FIND AN APPROPRIATE PLACE TO PRAY, FREE FROM DISTRACTIONS.
PREPARE OURSELVES FOR PRAYER: Be aware of the frame of mind we have and pray for the ability to accept the will of God. If we don’t feel like praying, keep praying until we do feel like praying.
PRAYER SHOULD BE MEANINGFUL: Pray with feeling and sincere intent, even if we are asking for the same needs. Confess His hand in all things. With the help of the Holy Ghost we will know for what we should pray. (See Romans 8:26-27)
WAIT AND LISTEN: For a time after the pray is finished.
WHEN WE PRAY IN THE TEMPLE: Wait for an answer or a manifestation, a feeling, or a burden that we are trying to have lifted can be taken from us.
PRAYER IS A POWER that makes all things possible through God.
“Remember that whatever you do or wherever you are, you are never alone”, President Benson’s father counseled him as a boy. You can reach out and receive His aid through prayer.
“Thank God we can reach out and tap that unseen power, without which no man can do his
best.”
“I know not by what methods rare, But this I know, God answers prayer.
I know that He has given His Word, Which tells me prayer is always heard, And will be answered, soon or late. And so I pray and calmly wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought; But leave my prayers with Him alone, Whose will is wiser than my own, Assured that He will grant my quest, Or send some answer far more blest.”
From a Prophet of God, President Benson:
“Never before in this gospel dispensation has there been a greater need for prayer. That we will constantly depend upon our Heavenly Father and conscientiously strive to improve our communication with Him is my earnest plea.”
“I know not by what methods rare, But this I know, God answers prayer.
I know that He has given His Word, Which tells me prayer is always heard, And will be answered, soon or late. And so I pray and calmly wait.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the way I thought; But leave my prayers with Him alone, Whose will is wiser than my own, Assured that He will grant my quest, Or send some answer far more blest.”
From a Prophet of God, President Benson:
“Never before in this gospel dispensation has there been a greater need for prayer. That we will constantly depend upon our Heavenly Father and conscientiously strive to improve our communication with Him is my earnest plea.”