The Essential Element of Faith

In my studies this morning I appreciated the scriptures Alma shares in his sermon to the Zoramites from the words of the prophet Zenos.

After the Prophet Alma gives his beautiful clear-cut sermon on faith, there were still many who did not understand his words.  He tells them that they "ought to search the scriptures" and that in their searching of the scriptures, they would find that the Prophets have taught them over and over again "to pray" not rambled muttering, but sincere and meaningful prayer.  Prayer is essential in making our hearts receptive to the word of the Lord.

Alma asks the bewildered crowd, "Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?  For he said:

Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.

Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.

 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.

 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.

 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.

 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.

 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction.

And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.  - Alma 33:3-11

..................

It says six times in those few verses that God "did hear" or"will hear."  Then Alma asks the people, "Do you believe those scriptures?"  He's basically stating again, "It's faith, brothers and sisters, pure and simple faith!  That is the element you are missing! But you are not even willing to believe enough to pray sincerely about these things, to search it out, or to open your hearts just a little bit.

The Savior said, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." - Mark 9:23

What an awesome promise! I know it's true!

As I read those verses in Alma 33 on prayer, a sense of gratitude washed over me for this simple and basic principle.  The sweetest part of my everyday is when I kneel to pray.  Like Zenos, I rejoice with all of my heart that wherever I go and wherever I am, I can pray and the Lord will hear me every single time!  I know this!

- Alicia

Secret Prayer

"There is an hour of peace and rest,

Unmarred by earthly care;

'Tis when before the Lord I go

And kneel in secret prayer.

May my heart be turned to pray,

Pray in secret day by day,

That this boon to mortals giv'n

May unite my soul with heav'n."

Text and music: Hans Henry Petersen, 1835-1909

............
My song for the day!  :)
I will stand my ground where hope can be found!