Prayer.

I am thankful for the power of prayer. I was taught to pray as a little child and have always considered myself to be a prayerful person. However, over the past several years I learned to rely on that power.  And by so doing, my knowledge and understanding of prayer has been greatly solidified. 

It is incredibly inspiring to know I can get on my knees and pray. It is a relief to know that my prayers are heard. And it is always soothing to my soul to see and feel my prayers answered. Sometimes it is strength I am in need of. Sometimes it is a solution I am desperately seeking. Sometimes it is simply a relief to pour out my heart to one that knows and understands me perfectly. There are not words to adequately express how I feel about  prayer. I simply know it is an amazing gift. A gift that helped me traverse rocky roads and uncharted territory I didn't want to be in.

Richard G. Scott said it quite beautifully in a past general conference address....

Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father. Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He commands, “Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.”  It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer.

As Christmas approaches we all seem to turn our thoughts a bit more to the gift of Jesus Christ. With the gift of our Savior's birth I can't help but think of God the Father's love for all of His children. He loves us so much He sent Christ into this world to redeem mankind. I know God's love for me is real and I am ever thankful for the blessing and privilege I have to pray to Him.