Receiving Answers to our Prayers-Part 3 Receiving and Recognizing Answers
The purpose of prayer is to access things of the spirit. We are repeatedly taught in the scripture that the Lord will answer our prayers. Receiving and recognizing answers to our prayers is the topic of this post.
Like many of you reading this post, I have had many prayers answered.[1] Therefore, I am familiar with the workings of the spirit. It takes time and experience to grow in our ability to recognize answers. Based on my experiences, most prayers are answered by the subtle workings of the spirit.[2] However, these soft, delicate answers can be misinterpreted.[3] The solution to this problem, in my opinion, is to cry unto the Lord for help, asking that you can know his will and avoid mistakes. Notice the use of the word "cry"[4]. If you think that crying unto the Lord is a little over the top, then I suggest you read more carefully from the scriptures. The scriptures portray the prophets frequenting "crying unto the Lord" to gain answers to their prayers.
Teachings of the Prophets: Harold B. Lee on Meditation
The following is from taken from LDS.org under the title, Take Time to be Holy.
President Harold B. Lee talks about the importance of meditation. I am particularly interested in the story related about Bishop John Wells son who was killed in an accident.
Example of Faith: Marion G. Romney–Prayer Answered
Note: I thought I would slip in this example of receiving an answer to prayer before posting Part 3 in my series on receiving answers to prayer.
Receiving Answers to our Prayers-Part 2 A Matter of Desire
There is nothing in life as sublime as receiving an answer to prayer! This is especially true if we have been seeking the Lord with all our heart on a matter of deepest import for a prolonged period of time. To experience an answer to prayer is to have our confidence wax strong in the presence of the Lord. I hope that all who read this have had this sublime experience, or will have a desire to have such an experience in the future.Wherever we're at in receiving answers to our prayers, the fact remains that we can increase our sensitivity to the things of the spirit---if we desire to. The word "desire" is very important when it comes to the topic of prayer. The scripture teach we "receive according to our desires[1]."
Our desires are the key to receiving answers to prayer. There are many things that can be classified as either barriers or facilitators to receiving answers to our prayers. In my opinion, the primary barrier to receiving answers to our prayers is the lack of desire, and conversely, desire is the preeminent facilitator to opening the channels of communication with Heavenly Father.
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