God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

Each time we pray, our relationship with our Father in heaven should be Strengthened!

"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand tward God (namely, God is our father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part.  Many of our so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship."  Bible Dictionary-prayer

God is our father.  He WANTS to hear from us.  He loves us therefore, he wants to hear from us.  If we ever feel unworthy to pray, or don't feel like we "want" to pray, that is Satan trying to stop you from communicating with the one person that can help you the greatest in this life, God.

2 Nephi 32:8-9

...For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit

which teacheth a man to pray,
 ye would know that ye must pray;
for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray,
but teacheth him that he must not pray.

 9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always,

and not faint;...

"The object of prayer is not to change the will of God,

but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings

 that God is already willing to grant,

 but that are made conditional on our asking for them.

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." (Bible Dictionary-Prayer)



we need to communicate with him constantly if we are to overcome this life. 

Doctrine and Covenants 10:5

Pray always,

that you may come off conqueror;

yea, that you may conquer Satan,

and that you may escape the hands

of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.

We can pray for:

Strength

Knowledge

Christlike attributes that need strengthened

Comfort

Guidance

Other people and their needs

Gratitude

Change of desires (to be able to align our will with God's will)

etc

How has prayer helped you today?

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

I wanted to write a blog on how important my Father is to me and what impact he has on my life.  An example of a righteous father.

Sister Dalton stated:

“'The most important thing a father can do for his [daughter] is to love [her] mother.” By the way you love her mother, you will teach your daughter about tenderness, loyalty, respect, compassion, and devotion. She will learn from your example what to expect from young men and what qualities to seek in a future spouse. You can show your daughter by the way you love and honor your wife that she should never settle for less. Your example will teach your daughter to value womanhood. You are showing her that she is a daughter of our Heavenly Father, who loves her.”

It is by divine design that fathers are to preside over families, because you are the ones that hold the priesthood and can accomplish what is needed to be done. It is a responsibility that our Father in Heaven gave to each of you men to be able to accomplish such a noble cause.

Sister Dalton said

“Today’s popular culture tries to erode and demean your eternal role as a patriarch and father and minimize your most important responsibilities. These have been given to you “by divine design,” and as fathers you “are to preside over [your] families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for [your] families.”
Fathers, you are the guardians of your homes, your wives, and your children."

My father was always loving when he taught, but he encouraged in ways that I needed to improve and become better. He helped me want to go to college by encouraging and sitting down and talking with me. I know have a degree and he was a big support in me focusing and getting that taken care of. He helped me with learning about finances, even though I still have a lot to learn. He knew all of my friends. He IS my friend. I knew that I could talk to him about anything and everything. I had a unique childhood where I could go to work with my dad every day if I wanted to. He was a farmer and was self-employed. That doesn't sound very fun to most of you, but those were times that I was able to bond with my dad and have one-on-one time with him. I remember trips of just going out to the fields to change water and coming back. Something so simple, yet had such an impact on our relationship. I would have my mom drive me out when I was younger and I would milk cows with him, or ride in the tractor while he was cutting crops. I spent all of potato harvest with him and would always try to find an excuse to ride in the semi with him to deliver the potatoes. He probably didn't even think much about it, but I was definitely planning. Before I came on my mission, we took a road trip to Ohio. My sister moved there and so we drove their car out. That 4 days we spent together is forever in my memory. 4 solid days of one-on-one time was priceless in the eyes of his daughter. Even something as simple as his involvement he had with girls camp or band performances was large in my eyes.

"Brethren,

 fathers,

young men,

Be loyal to the royal within you.

Lead your family to the temple,

be guardians of virtue,
and magnify your priesthood.”

My father is my hero. Not because he did heroic things or won a lot of trophies, or had a million dollars. But because he loves God, he leads by example, he loves his family, and what more can a person desire of their fathers?

This is a sacred role, and one that should continue to be upheld and respected. A parent doesn't know what impact small acts of righteousness can have on their children, but I am hear to tell you they are great in the sight of your sons and daughters.

Thank you Dad for the amazing example you have been in my life!  YOU ARE MY HERO!