The Importance of Prayer

Recently my parents came to visit and gave me a stack of books they loved but was collecting dust on their shelf. I picked up the book called "Lighten Up!" by Chieko Okazaki. She was the first counselor in the Relief Society general presidency from 1990-1997. I remember my mom saying how she loved the author so I started reading. Within the first few pages, I was hooked. I finished the book very quickly and have also convinced my mom to let me borrow any other book she had from Chieko.I now have 3 more books waiting for me to dig into. I love her writing!

One specific part in Lighten Up talks about prayer.

"Our Heavenly Father wants us to live a Savior-centered life. He wants our sense of the Savior as a real person to fill our consciousness. He wants us to take seriously that promise about the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. And this, in turn, means that Heavenly Father doesn't want to hear only "nice" prayers. He wants to hear real prayers, honest prayers. How many times are our evening prayers just one more chore? Scoop up the evening paper and put it away, jot 'celery salt' on the shopping list, collect that dirty sock for the hamper, brush your teeth, and drop to your knees. We all know how to say prayers. We know the polite formula of "we thank thee for the gospel, we ask thee to bless the missionaries..." But who are we trying to kid? Jesus has just seen the stove where the spaghetti boiled over, and it was pretty obvious that wasn't the only thing that had ever boiled over on that stove. He heard what you muttered when you picked up that one sock, just as you've been doing for the past eight years. He caught that worry about the dentist bill that flashed across your mind when you were putting toothpaste on your brush. He doesn't want polite platitudes. He wants you! All of you! He wants to be the center of your total life- the worried you, the mad you, and the sad you as well as the inspired, happy, obedient, loving you."

When I read that page I was overcome with emotion. He wants me. All of me. He wants the sad, mad, frustrated, afraid, happy, and silly me. Even when I make mistakes. He still loves me and wants to be close to me. I know this is true for all of us. I know the Savior loves all of us completely. That knowledge brings me great comfort and peace.

Over the years, I have felt guilt for not saying my personal prayers as often as I feel like I should be. But I have found that I have switched my thinking and treat my prayers like I am talking to a friend. By doing that I can always have a prayer in my heart. I feel close to the Savior and I lean on him more often throughout my day. I am thankful to Sister Chieko Okazaki for her words, testimony, and honesty. She helped me build my testimony of prayer. I can't wait to read what else she has to say.

Amelia Lucero
Snowflake Neighborhood
2nd Councilor, Relief Society