I think you’re probably onto something — that we ought to be praying more for strength to keep the commandments rather than simply praying for the blessings to magically come to us. But it probably doesn’t hurt to do a little of both. As the Bible Dictionary says on prayer, “Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work, and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.”

When I read your post, I first thought of the part that comes just before that: prayer brings the Father’s will and the child’s will into correspondence, not by changing God’s will but securing blessings God is already willing to grant that are conditional upon our asking.

I guess we don’t know most of the answers to your questions, but knowing this much helps a little!
Amy | Email | Homepage | 09.06.04 – 10:57 am | #

Whenever I get tired of praying over and over for the same thing (and working to achieve what I’m asking for, of course) I try to remember the parable of the unrighteous judge. It teaches us that God wants us to weary Him with our prayers.
Bret | Email | Homepage | 09.06.04 – 10:12 pm | #

I gotta say that I believe we recieved the recent miracle in our lives because we (and our relatives, friends, associates, strangers, etc) prayed and prayed contineously. I’m sure it wearied the Lord hearing the same prayer over and over again. But, I’m sure it had to do with our humbleness to ask him and ask our friends and family to pray for us. Just the asking shows humbleness…even to our loved ones that we would appreciate their faith along with ours.
Plus…I also must add that we have now just replaced thankfulness with the asking. We asked so much that He deserves to hear the gratefulness more than the asking!!
Angela | Email | Homepage | 09.08.04 – 11:49 pm | #

I agree with Amy’s statement of how we should be praying for the strength to overcome our trials, and that we should be putting forth the our efforts to be capable of reciving his blessings.

I believe for the 2nd part though, god does/can adjust to each individual. If I have a problem with the word of wisdom, then I would be tried acordingly, but if for someone who is strong in the word of wisdom, they probably won’t be tested in that area. I will be tried in those things He knows me for, and also knows I can over come. I take comfort in the knowlege that my Father above is watching so diligently, my actions. That he sees what, and how, I overcome the trials in my life. And I continue to pray for his strength to touch my heart and comfort me through my own hard times.
Bryce | Email | Homepage | 09.13.04 – 3:20 pm | #