Prayer

the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Prayer is not intended to work any change in God; it brings us into harmony with
God. It does not take the place of duty.—(Messages to Young People, 247, 248.)
Prayers that cast a chilly shadow.—There are some, I fear, who do not take
their troubles to God in private prayer, but reserve them for the prayer meeting, and
there do up their praying for several days. Such may be named conference and prayer
meeting killers. They emit no light; they edify no one. Their cold, frozen prayers
and long, backslidden testimonies cast a shadow. All are glad when they get through,
and it is almost impossible to throw off the chill and darkness which their prayers
and exhortations bring into the meeting. From the light which I have received, our
meetings should be spiritual and social, and not too long. Reserve, pride, vanity,
and fear of man should be left at home. Little differences and prejudices should
not be taken with us to these meetings. As in a united family, simplicity, meekness,
confidence, and love should exist in the hearts of brethren and sisters who meet to
be refreshed and invigorated by bringing their lights together.—(Testimonies for the
Church 2:578, 579.)
To expect that our prayers will always be answered in just the way we want
is presumption.—The prayer of faith is never lost; but to claim that it will be
always answered in the very way and for the particular thing we have expected, is
presumption. (Testimonies for the Church 1:231.)
When our prayers seem not to be answered, we are to cling to the promise; for
the time of answering will surely come, and we shall receive the blessing we need
most. But to claim that prayer will always be answered in the very way and for the
particular thing that we desire, is presumption. God is too wise to err, and too good
to withhold any good thing from them that walk uprightly.
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