Daily Thoughts

In the Old Testament I read that two are better than one. If one falls into the ditch, the other one can life him out. Two can unite together to prevail against their enemies and give each other warmth when they sleep. Eccl. 4: 9-12 "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

In the Book of Mormon I read about how Alma met up with the sons of Mosiah while he was journeying. And to his great joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord, having devoted themselves to missionary work, fasting, prayer, and studying the scriptures. Isn't it wonderful when we run into old friends we haven't seen in a long time and see that they're still faithful to the gospel and have grown strong in the Lord? Alma 17: 1-4 "And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla. Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God. And they had been teaching the word of God *for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him."

A verse with a thought booklet explains why sometimes we don't get what we pray for--we ask amiss, for things that are not right for us to have. God always answers our prayers but sometimes He has to answer "No" for our own good. So when we pray we need to look in our own hearts and ask ourselves what are real motives are for wanting the things we're asking for. Is it something that we really need? Something that will help build the Kingdom of God? Or is it something selfish to satisfy our own lusts? We need to put our priorities in order and ask for things that will further our spiritual life with the Lord. But even then we need to trust in the Lord and believe that He'll answer our prayers in the way that's best for us, even if we can't see the reasons behind it. James 4: 3 "Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts."