Episode 35: How to Open the Heavens Through Prayer
This week we unpack some of the principles and promises from President M. Russell Ballard's talk, "Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray Always."'
Elder M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Inside this episode:
"And then, President Ballard scooted his chair back, and with some effort he stood and approached us. He shook each of our hands, looked us in the eyes, and thanked us for our service--complimenting the meal.
I’ll never forget the image of him making the effort to stand in our presence. It was such a show of respect and it immediately endeared him to me. Shortly after he stood, several others followed his example.
The meeting was brief, but thoughtful and memorable, and I was struck by how short President Ballard is. And yet what a giant he appears to be when speaking from the pulpit.
Aside from being awestruck and tongue-tied -- I seem to get a serious case of hero worship when in the presence of our leaders and it causes me to say silly things that I later regret. But aside from this awkwardness on my part, I was struck by the realization that I was in the presence of a prophet of God--AND, there was one degree of separation between President Ballard and Jesus Christ.
When I shook his hand, I felt as though I was connecting with Deity.
It MIGHT have just been hero worship …. Or it MIGHT have been the Holy Ghost bearing witness to me that President Ballard was indeed a prophet."
President Ballard shared nine promised blessings that will come to us as a result of redoubling our commitment to prayer:
Peace and healing to individual souls, as well as the souls of countries.
The ability to move forward with more confidence,
We can open the heavens to receive personal revelation,
Lift us and draw us together as individuals, families, as a church, and as a world,
Influence scientists and help them toward discoveries and new medications,
Comfort those who’ve lost a loved one,
Guide us in knowing what to do for our own personal protection,
Change our own lives and we can improve and help others do the same,
We will come to know how we can bless our families, neighbors, communities, and the country we live in.
DO ONE THING Invitation:
President Ballard’s plea was for us to redouble our commitment to prayer. Prayer is such a personal thing, but wherever we are in our spiritual journey, redoubling our commitment to prayer will open the heavens for us to receive all the promises made by President Ballard.
How has prayer blessed YOUR life? I would love for you to share your stories with me in the comments on the DO ONE THING post this coming Monday on Instagram @melinda.r.morgan or share your story with me in a private DM. I would love to hear from you.
Click here to listen to this episode on your favorite podcast platform.
Resources:
"Watch Ye Therefore and Pray Always" M. Russell Ballard
Or click here to view on YouTube
Follow me on Instagram @melinda.r.morgan
Visit my website: www.melindarmorgan.com
Music for this episode: Keys of Moon--Be Inspired, Free music download