Creative Wanderings

Day 14: Our Path of Duty by Keith B.McMullin

Lots of prayer thoughts today… in the chapel at the temple the first two songs were “Did you think to pray” and “Secret Prayer.” While there I also had time to talk to God in prayer. Can I be really honest? I’m still working on the hearing and understanding the answers part. I think everyone gets answers in their own that speaks to them. Oh, I’ve figured out some key aspects of how I get answers, but…. I know there’s more ground to be covered there. Anyways, I’ll come back to that in a minute. Other prayer moments included me desperately praying out loud in my car as I drove less than a mile to the gas station because my re-fill light had just barely kicked on. Seriously, I kept begging that my car be able to make it to the gas station. Perhaps I worried too much, but for Read more…

By Erica, ago

Day 13: D&C 25:12

I’m sure you don’t really care to hear it (yet again this week), but I am so tired!! I put in almost 50 hours at work this week. Ridiculous. And my sleep has definitely suffered. But I have stuck with this blog project and prayer project, despite it keeping me up later than I’d like. Accountability…. it’s a strong pull to keep you exactly honest to your word. Lest ye think I randomly grab a scripture about prayer and write a few words about it, let me fill you in on how this works for me. Sometimes I’ll have a particular idea or concept that sticks in my mind all day and unfolds itself as I look for scriptures that relate to that and prayer. I feel like those days are particularly special. Days like today, I usually end up doing a search in Gospel Library. I choose which variation Read more…

By Erica, ago

Day 12: D&C 33:17-18

Be faithful, praying always, with trimmed lamps. Again,I am somewhat surprised at how direct a single verse can be in providing direction and insight. Knowing the broad arc of the scriptures is very useful, but I think I was missing something before I learned the power of a single verse. I love how we’re reminded of what we need to do to enable us to be prepared for The Lord. And I didn’t realize how pivotal prayer is in all that! It really make a difference in our preparation and progression. As I strive to improve, I find myself reminding myself daily that these musings are great, but the real power and testimony comes from the act of praying….speaking a prayer. I need to go speak my prayer now. Just wanted to say a quick thank you to any and all who sent thoughts and prayers my way today. It Read more…

By Erica, ago

Day 11: John 14:26-27

These verses have arguably nothing to do with prayer. However, they are frequent comfort verses for me, and reflect the feelings I can get from prayer. Several years ago, my friend Rachel set these two verses to music. I still wish I had a recording of it, but the memory is imprinted in my mind. I hear the tune when I read these verses. One thing I loved about her arrangement was ow the music broadened and settled like a blanket during the beginning of verse 27… Peace I leave in you. My peace I give unto you. Peace being drawn out and lengthened in the phrase. Prayer brings peace. It is beautiful. It wraps and protects us. For me tonight, I cold pray for nothing better.

By Erica, ago

Sometimes the strong are weak

I don’t want to mope or whine or relive the past. Truly. If you want to know more, well…. You will understand. Valentines Day 2012. Enough said? I didn’t think it would be hard this year. Most of the emotional hurt from him is completely gone. But given today and what my head and heart are doing…. I don’t know if I’m strong enough for tomorrow. On top of work being busy and stressful. On top of my allergies slamming in full force. This isn’t the prayer post yet, but if you want to put your next 24 hours of prayer to a good cause, I’m happy to accept them. Just to get though tomorrow. And then it will all be fine. In the immortal words of Peter Pan, “just think happy thoughts.”

By Erica, ago

Day 10: Alma 34:17-27

My first thought of what to use as my prayer prompt was a website I came across: Sacred Spaces. At a glance, it is a website that provides users with the experience I’ve created for myself – daily scripture prompts, finding how to make prayer meaningful in your life, developing a true connection with God… brilliant idea, and I hope many people benefit from it! I  may have to give a test run, just for fun. As I thought more on it, though, I really wanted to go very doctrinal today. I included verse 17 because it shows steps to follow. I’m kind of big on the whole organization, steps, order etc thing. We have obtain faith by experimenting on the word of God (see Alma 32), then grow that faith. In verse 17, we reach a point where our faith is unto repentance, which requires we call on God to communicate Read more…

By Erica, ago

Dear Secret Admirer..

… if you actually were to exist, you would be getting me an amazing Valentine’s day gift. Because that’s how wonderful you are! You know me well, and I just have to share with everyone what you would get me! You’d start off my morning with breakfast in bed (along with an early wake up call so I’d have time to eat it). Eggs, toast, bacon, orange juice… you’re saving the sweet things for later, of course! There’s a flower or bouquet to brighten the cold morning as well. And what’s that you just carried in behind your back? A gift!  Smart man. This is where I hug you, kiss you, and tell you just how wonderful I think you are. I’ll head off to work, on could nine as I contemplate seeing you again at the end of my day.  Well, it’s the end of the day and we are Read more…

By Erica, ago

Day 9: Mark 1:35

One of the biggest changes I’ve noticed during the past few days of this project is that I think sour prayer and scriptures more often, with more purpose. Today as I drove to work, I learned that the Pope is resigning… Something that hasn’t happened since the 15th century or so. I wanted to find a New Testament scripture for tonight, to honor the shared truths. Mark 1:35 is a brief but telling account of how Christ prayed. He awoke early, left to find solitude, and then prayed. I love the spirit that seems to pervade the morning, though I usually only notice it on special occasions, not my typical mornings. Being in nature especially evokes that. While I do the evening routine — better than nothing — I hope to one day make a switch to morning worship. My goal is to try and do a special morning prayer Read more…

By Erica, ago

Day 8: Helaman 3:35

Interestingly, I found this scripture last night while doing my “normal” scripture study. It caught my attention, and I really liked getting into it today. I’m not sure I’ve seen another scripture that so clearly spells out the blessings of prayer. First, their prayers are frequent, even habitual parts of their lives. This results in increased humility – interesting byproduct – and stronger faith. Souls are filled with joy. And my favorite part: hearts are sanctified because they are yielded, like harvested fruit, to The Lord. I also liked 3:27, which reminds us that prayer isn’t exclusive. It’s for everyone! My prayers have been helping me gain a tester relationship with The Lord. I haven’t had anything crazy awesome happen, just small witnesses that my spirit is growing, not just my intellect. It’s easy for me to get caught up in the learning side, thinking I’ve got things figured out Read more…

By Erica, ago

Day 7: Spicing things up

I’m taking a different road tonight, for a few reason. First, I am dead tired. As in, between Friday and today, I have had multiple people ask if I am tired because I sure look it. And yes, I have been very tired those days. Tonight I am again attempting to go to bed early, but I’m already almost thirty minutes past my ideal bedtime for tonight. I’m going to read my scriptures just normally tonight and not ruminate on prayer quite as specifically. And here comes point number two about changing things up today.  I have actually thought about prayer a lot today, especially in regards to what I’m going to post about. I found a few scriptures, glanced through some talks in the Ensign, but my brain kept going back to the idea of poetry. As a humanities graduate and afficionado, I believe that there are numerous pathways to Read more…

By Erica, ago