It's For More Than Just the Obvious

I was catching up with my cousin, Ariel Hempel, last night on the phone. If you’ve ever met my beautiful cousin, you’ll know she radiates beauty both without and within. She reflects her Creator. I’m blessed in every conversation with her. What struck me last night as we talked about our classes at school for this fall was how she wanted to take on so large a credit load and her academy responsibilities but she was going to pray about it some more.

Once we hung up, my mind pondered how she prays about things. I do pray, or, at least I have in the past and do about some things everyday with sincere earnestness. But, this school-planning phone conversation woke me up to the lesson that I have to pray about everything in my life! That’s more than just about what degree to go for, which school to attend, the trials my family is undergoing—it’s about the things I know I know what to do on. What a reality check. Sounds easy.

My good Savior gave me a test today! So soon after conviction – amen? An acquaintance of some years emailed me about considering a mission break. I’m going to pray about it. Right now I feel that I know how to answer, but I am going to take some time to sincerely pray over this matter. Sounds easy still, but now to instill it as a primary-defense mechanism, to use a biology term (^_^).

Praying is so simple, but I don’t turn to it as quickly or as often as I should. Prayer is a privilege, so why do I neglect it? I know prayer has power. I’ve seen it at work. And I believe in God’s care and concern for my unique situation and circumstances. I want to make prayer my first line of defense in this warfare against evil. I want to make prayer, that connection to the very throne of God, my lifeline!

Here’s to praying more, friends! =)