Prayer

March 5, 2017

Hey Everyone!

What a great week full of fun things and also last times! I got to say goodbye to a lot of people that I will probably not see again at least for a long time or maybe not until we all go together to the next life haha. Oh well, I am excited to see my old friends (you all) soon as well.

This week was a pretty long week with a ton of appointments and a lot of amazing experiences. But one of them stood out above the rest. Yesterday we were driving with our branch president (like a preacher, someone who is basically in charge of the church) and I have done this maybe 10 times since I moved to this area. Every time in the car we have great conversations about life, advice, and helping other people. Anyway we were talking and the topic changed to two people in our area who the Branch President had prayed for really sincerely, that they could get married. He said he had prayed for these two people diligently and that his prayers had gone unanswered. Contrary to what many people believe, I am usually, at least as a missionary, not a very bold person. I do crazy things, but when people have doubts I usually try to like help them work through their doubts and tell them mine too. But for some reason in regards to prayer I am not that way. So I can't perfectly translate the feeling of the words that I said but it was something along these lines. "President, I know that God hears your prayers and answers them, and you do as well. So, why are we having this conversation?" Of course, it was a little more polite but after I said that I wondered, why did I just say that? After I said that he was kind of quiet and then he said, yes I do know that.

I don't fully understand this concept, but a lot of us are prone to believe that our beliefs are much weaker than they are. A lot of us are afraid to say that we know or believe something when we have had so many experiences that show to us that a principle is true. I like how Nephi says this:

 3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. 4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. 

It is important to acknowledge often before God, ourselves, and others that we are not perfect, that we do not know everything, that we still need God and others’ help to succeed. But, at the same time, it is critical that we are confident in what we believe and that we testify to others of what we have seen, heard, and felt. I know that God hears and answers all prayers. My belief started when I was a child when my parents taught me to pray and continues until today. I hope my belief continues to grow. I know that God answers in a voice that we can understand, not in secret and not in in a way that is unknown to us. I have received those answers as a missionary but also when I needed help in college, at work, or even with my family. I do not have very much time left as a missionary, or as some people say a representative of Jesus Christ, but if I only had a chance to say one sentence to anyone that I have met in Korea or any of my friends that I have in America, it would be that I have come to know that God lives and He will speak to us. I know that is true and it has never changed and it will never change. I hope and pray for you all, none of us are perfect for praying for everyone by name daily, but you have all been in my prayers, by name. And I have come to know that those prayers will at one day be heard. 

I love you all,

Elder Coleman