Welcome.

On this National Day of Prayer, I join all who believe in God in praying to Him for the welfare of my own soul, for those whom I love, for those whom I love less, for this nation which has given me so many opportunities and privileges, for those whose circumstances are much less favorable than my own, for the children in harm’s way, for our liberty and freedoms, for faith in Christ to flourish, for the return of He whose right it is to reign supreme, and for every other blessing which comes from the benevolent hand of our good God.

“I pray,” said the fictional CS Lewis in a movie, “because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.” (Shadowlands, played by Anthony Hopkins, quoted)

I’m after that change, and prayer is paramount to it coming.

I leave you with the powerful words of Apostle Holland from last General Conference:

“Brothers and sisters, I testify that God hears every prayer we offer and responds to each of them according to the path He has outlined for our perfection…It is for reasons known only to God why prayers are answered differently than we hope – but I promise you they are heard and they are answered according to His unfailing love and cosmic timetable.” (Holland, J. “Motions of a Hidden Fire, April 2024, General Conference)

Good enough for this girl.

And I leave you with a lovely song Shawna Edwards just produced: “Just Pray.”

Unto all the world: Let us pray and thank God for such a privilege!