The Language of Prayer
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have very few set prayers (the Sacrament prayers are two examples of those we do have). For the most part, we strive to pray from our hearts. We do encourage the use of thee and thine rather than you and your. It makes for a special language of prayer, language we use only in praying and language that shows reverence and respect and closeness. We also have a pattern of prayer in which we address our Heavenly Father, thank Him for things, ask Him for things, and close in the name of Jesus Christ.
Obviously, our Heavenly Father would rather hear from us than not, regardless of the language we use, but it really isn't that difficult to use the special language of prayer. For me, it makes communing with my Father in Heaven appropriately different from ordinary conversation. Two Ensign articles can help you and/or give you some help in teaching your children the language of prayer. They are:
"The Language of Formal Prayer" by Don E. Norton, Jr.
"The Language of Prayer" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks
These articles also talk a bit about the whys and wherefores of using formal language in prayer.
One thing to keep in mind is that we should never allow feelings of unworthiness to keep us from praying to our Heavenly Father. It is through prayer (and scripture study) that we learn to order our lives and make those changes we need to make.
Obviously, our Heavenly Father would rather hear from us than not, regardless of the language we use, but it really isn't that difficult to use the special language of prayer. For me, it makes communing with my Father in Heaven appropriately different from ordinary conversation. Two Ensign articles can help you and/or give you some help in teaching your children the language of prayer. They are:
"The Language of Formal Prayer" by Don E. Norton, Jr.
"The Language of Prayer" by Elder Dallin H. Oaks
These articles also talk a bit about the whys and wherefores of using formal language in prayer.
One thing to keep in mind is that we should never allow feelings of unworthiness to keep us from praying to our Heavenly Father. It is through prayer (and scripture study) that we learn to order our lives and make those changes we need to make.
Labels: prayer
posted by Mary A | 1:30 AM
10 Comments:
If we are having feelings of unworthiness we really need to take a knee and have an earnest talk with Heavenly Father.
Well put, JR, well put.
I'm still learning after all these years, how to put my thoughts together in such a way as to identify each item of interest; either in the form of gratitude for blessings already given or requests for assistance. I can see why the Lord puts up with us, His slow to learn and yet willing to learn children.
I know what you mean, TF. Prayer is a growing thing. I'm grateful for the Lord's infinite patience with us. And it reminds me of how patient I need to be.
Hi Mary,
I was googleing around to find a trace of an old sister missionary who served in the Hamburg, Germany Mission in 1980-82 and married shortly after her return. I remember Sis Diane McKenzie's home adress was in Oklahoma, in a Kiowa Way somewhere. And the only named like street Google Earth returned was in Norman. And it seems to me, you live there too.
Do you know her? I'd be very thankful.
Thomas "Otto" Mueller
thmueller{at}thmueller.net
I loved to hear the prayers of investigators straight from the heart after we taught them these steps.-Barb
Thomas, I'm sorry to say that I don't know a Diane McKenzie. If she lives in Norman, she's 2 stakes away from me--I'm in north OKC. Just in case, I looked in my stake directory, but didn't find that name. If I do find out anything, I'll email you. Thanks for stopping by!
Barb, it's a great thing to hear the prayers of those who are learning to pray!
I believe that one of the reasons that the use of thee, thy, thou, etc. is special is because that is the familiar form of you. In French or Spanish, there are two forms of you: the singular, and familiar version (tu) used only for family and other intimates, and the plural, or formal version (vous) used in more polite but distant relationships or situations. I think that our Heavenly Father wants us to address Him in the familiar, personal way we address close family, but using the singular version of our English you that we don't really use anymore in most cases. Thee is the singular and familiar version of you. He wants us to speak to Him as our family, as our Father.
Some people say we should use thee and thy stuff because it is more formal and respectful, but I believe it is the opposite, not that it is more formal, but that it is more familial.
Anyway, love your work, Mary!
Hi, Peggy! Great to hear from you! Those are good points you made and I'm glad you brought them up. To speak to our Heavenly Father as close family is indeed what we should aim for and, although we might tend to think of thee and thou as formal, you are right that it is really more personal and exemplifies a close relationship. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Hi Mary,
I just want to give thanks for trying to find Diane. I'll continue searching.
Thanks again.
Thomas
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