Prayer strengthens families

Faith is a gift from God, but we must nurture our faith to keep it strong. Faith is like a muscle. If exercised, it grows strong. If left immobile, it becomes weak.

We can nurture the gift of faith by praying to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. As we express our gratitude to our Father and as we plead with Him for blessings that we and others need, we will draw near to Him. We will draw near to the Savior, whose Atonement makes it possible for us to plead for mercy. We will also be receptive to the quiet guidance of the Holy Ghost.

We can strengthen our faith by keeping the commandments. Like all blessings from God, faith is obtained and increased through individual obedience and righteous action. If we desire to enrich our faith to the highest possible degree, we must keep the covenants we have made. This means that our faith is needed when we pray, especially in those hard times, families will be able to become strengthened and brought closer together as a result from praying. All of us need that strength and assurance that when the rocky times do hit (because they will come for every family) that they can pull out those trials stronger. But we can't forget to pray during the good times too, I know that I forget this component as well. It's easy to think that life is going smoothly and we may not need his help anymore, but that is not the case. We always need to have prayer as the center of our homes because we always need his help.

Personally, this is an on going learning experience for me.  Doing the research on this topic really helped me in this stage of my life right now and where could be for the future. I am sacrificing many things and to know if I strive to have faith, hope, and charity, that I will one day be blessed for all that I do by putting all of my trust in Heavenly Father; to one-day rest from any pain or afflictions.  That alone just gives me so much peace and it has humbled my own heart to know of these simple truths. I have a plaque on my wall with a quote on it that says: “Faith is being sure of what you hope for.” This is my reminder everyday that faith, hope, and charity all intertwine one another and that my faith will provide miracles through my diligence in adhering to the principles of the gospel. 

I know that by putting my own faith into action, sticking to what I hope, and give charity to others, that the Lord will bless me beyond belief.   “When you are doing good, you feel good.”  Helping, serving, and having charity towards others are ways in which you emulate Christ.  Portraying his loving attributes form us to become the teachers or people we want to become.  Turning faith into power and making that action is one of the greatest ways to be obedient.  All these principles that I researched go together, they are all related, and are all equally important.  By doing all that I do now in my life I am preparing myself to start a family, and to realize what I want to become.  My Grandpa used to tell me this all the time when he was living: “With God all things are possible.”

The hallmark of a happy home according to President Thomas S. Monson:

A library of learning

A treasury of testimony

A pattern of prayer

A legacy of love