Great points made here, but the title of the article is misleading. Yes, we DO pray for what we want! The Lord has invited us many times to offer up the desires of our hearts to him. However, I was taught by my family to pray with an attitude "If it be they will." As long as we want His will to be done, of course we pray for what we desire! The Holy Ghost can guide us to know if we are praying for something that is inappropriate. In connection with this subject, I have occasionally heard people say: " Praying in faith is not hoping God will grant your desire, but KNOWING that he will." I disagree. We do not dictate to God. The Lord has taught us that if we ask in faith, we will receive, but receive what? We will receive what HE knows is best for us. We would be in big trouble if God gave us everything that we ask for, even in faith. He can see much further down the road than we can, and something that looks very right to us may not be right in His wisdom. When I am in need of something for myself or my loved ones, I pray with an attitude that God may not give me what I am asking for, but he WILL give me what I need.
Corey D.June 2, 2024
My aunt shared an experience that I have not forgotten, when she went to the cancer center to start her treatments she was scared to death, terrified, she was all alone, one of the other patients could tell she was scared and came over to talk with her, she expressed how scared she was and he said to her, "a year from now you will look back on this and think what an amazing year, what a great learning experience", she said her first reaction to his comment was pretty much disbelief but after a year she had come to realize and know what he knew.
Rochelle HaleMay 29, 2024
I don't see a problem with praying for what we want as long as we learn to wait on God's timing and learn to recognize His answers when they come in a moment, an hour, a day, months, or even years. Too often we are so focused on what we think should be the outcome that we miss even greater blessings and direction. Sadly, many curse the Lord or blame Him when the results aren't what they expected. I believe in the recent teachings of President Nelson that we should all seek for personal revelation and inspiration. If we feel we aren't getting answers to our prayers or we aren't recognizing the answers, then perhaps we need to pray that the Holy Ghost helps us modify our prayers and helps us overcome any discouragement while we are waiting.
Jenny SvendsenMay 29, 2024
Thank you so much for that beautiful uplifting article! I pray for my boys, that angels may be by their sides, to help them through the hardships they are experiencing, through their life due to their actions, but I always let heavenly Father know, that He knows them intimately and they are in His hands.
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MaryannJune 10, 2024
Great points made here, but the title of the article is misleading. Yes, we DO pray for what we want! The Lord has invited us many times to offer up the desires of our hearts to him. However, I was taught by my family to pray with an attitude "If it be they will." As long as we want His will to be done, of course we pray for what we desire! The Holy Ghost can guide us to know if we are praying for something that is inappropriate. In connection with this subject, I have occasionally heard people say: " Praying in faith is not hoping God will grant your desire, but KNOWING that he will." I disagree. We do not dictate to God. The Lord has taught us that if we ask in faith, we will receive, but receive what? We will receive what HE knows is best for us. We would be in big trouble if God gave us everything that we ask for, even in faith. He can see much further down the road than we can, and something that looks very right to us may not be right in His wisdom. When I am in need of something for myself or my loved ones, I pray with an attitude that God may not give me what I am asking for, but he WILL give me what I need.
Corey D.June 2, 2024
My aunt shared an experience that I have not forgotten, when she went to the cancer center to start her treatments she was scared to death, terrified, she was all alone, one of the other patients could tell she was scared and came over to talk with her, she expressed how scared she was and he said to her, "a year from now you will look back on this and think what an amazing year, what a great learning experience", she said her first reaction to his comment was pretty much disbelief but after a year she had come to realize and know what he knew.
Rochelle HaleMay 29, 2024
I don't see a problem with praying for what we want as long as we learn to wait on God's timing and learn to recognize His answers when they come in a moment, an hour, a day, months, or even years. Too often we are so focused on what we think should be the outcome that we miss even greater blessings and direction. Sadly, many curse the Lord or blame Him when the results aren't what they expected. I believe in the recent teachings of President Nelson that we should all seek for personal revelation and inspiration. If we feel we aren't getting answers to our prayers or we aren't recognizing the answers, then perhaps we need to pray that the Holy Ghost helps us modify our prayers and helps us overcome any discouragement while we are waiting.
Jenny SvendsenMay 29, 2024
Thank you so much for that beautiful uplifting article! I pray for my boys, that angels may be by their sides, to help them through the hardships they are experiencing, through their life due to their actions, but I always let heavenly Father know, that He knows them intimately and they are in His hands.
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