Prayer

“In order to assist the Savior, we have to work together in unity and in harmony. Everyone, every position, and every calling is important.” Elder Chi Hong Wong, of the seventy. 

I do so love this man and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-saints. 

When Bishop (name withheld) first came to be bishop, he and his wife came to my home. I had been lame for several years, and had gone inactive as I could not get to church. He blessed me with wise counsel and sent others to help. 

They struggled for many months to help me get to church, and for a short time I was able to attend my meetings. It was so good to be back. I had missed it something horrible. 

As I got sicker, he wanted to help me and suggested I be placed in a care facility so that could happen. I tried to explain what those type of places do to a person’s soul, and yet could not convey my deep feelings on the matter. 

I fasted and prayed many days and nights to obtain an answer as to rather I had to obey my bishop. I did not want to refuse, as God had placed him over me; to watch and take good care of me. Who was I to disagree with a man of God? I asked if I could be sent back to Yuma, Arizona to a home there, and was told no. I fasted and prayed again. I wept bitter tears over this. 

I am most grateful for the answer that came. If I accepted the call to go to a home, I could be an instrument for the Lord in teaching those who do not know Him, and comforting those who have forgotten Him. If I chose not to go, the choice was mine. 

I pondered over this situation and knew that once inside, I would never be allowed to be free again. Never again be allowed to go outside unless it was to the smoker’s area. Never again be allowed to pray out loud. Never again to be treated with kindness. Never again to listen to good music when I wanted to or read my scriptures whenever I wanted to. Never again be allowed to say no when others wanted me to do something I did not want to do. Never again to step foot upon real grass and earth. Never again be allowed to touch a tree or feel water outside. Never again be allowed to gaze into the night sky and see the wonders of God. 

I took my feelings to the Lord and felt great comfort from Him. I asked if my home here would be accepted by him as a place where I could serve, and after receiving a confirmation, I let the bishop know I was refusing his calling to go to a home. 

Then, I set about to set my own house in order and have been blessed to continue to serve in a new way. 

Sometimes, we must do things we do not understand, and when we do them we are blessed beyond our imaginations to understand. Sometimes, when we take our ideas to the Lord, He agrees with what we have suggested and again, we are blessed in ways too hard to explain. 

God does hear and answer prayer. I know this. I pray you know this. If you do not know this, I invite you to take your problems to the Lord and keep doing that until you know it is from Him. Then you too can know what I know.