Last week went by really fast and was very eventful. For one, on Wednesday, Elder Madronio and I went up to Cauayan for our new missionary and trainers' meeting. I had the privilege of seeing many of my friends who are also training, and together we received instruction from the Rahlfs and the assistants to the president as to how to become a better trainer. Then, we had a delicious lunch! I must say that meetings have become one of my favorite things on the mission!
On Thursday, I had my first splits as a leader. When I say I had splits, that simply means that I exchanged companions for a day in order to learn from him, and for him to learn from me. As a leader, I am supposed to "show the other missionary what a great day of missionary work looks like", in the words of President Rahlf. I must say that I felt a little nervous at that task, as I haven't really felt my work and teaching is worthy of example. However, through prayer, I was prompted to pick a certain missionary to work with me, and then through much prayer we ended up having a good day together. I am happy to say that the first person we contacted was a long-time less active, and was willing to be taught. I was then shocked when our first contact after that lesson was also willing to be taught, and is now a progressing investigator! Overall, we had a great day with 8 lessons and 9 contacts. I attribute this success to my fervent prayers beforehand for help in my task that seemed too big for my skills to attain.
With this day in mind, I have been doing a lot of thinking in regards to prayer this last week. As a missionary, I am always praying. I pray when I get up, eat, before and after every study session, before we leave, before and after every lesson, etc. Needless to say, prayer both internal and vocal have become very habitual for me. However, as I was reading in the third book of Nephi (found in the Book of Mormon) this last week, I felt a prompting of correction come over me. In chapter 13, Christ instructed His disciples in America, as He had done in Israel before his death and resurrection, to "use not vain repetitions [in prayer] as the heathens do" (3 Nephi 13:7).
Previously, when I read this verse, I thought this simply meant that we shouldn't use the same, written out words every time we pray, as is custom in some religious institutions. However, I realized that this also applies to individuals such as myself, who has gotten in the habit of saying similar phrases and such during prayer. Perhaps, just as a fellow individual may get tired of us if we were to say the same complaints and things every time we communicated with them, so does our Heavenly Father if we do so to Him in prayer. As the circumstances of each day are different, so should our prayers to our Father in Heaven reflect this fact.
I believe if we have the humility to ask for help from God, and do so with real intent, not just out of formality, we will receive immense blessings in result. I too know it to be true, as James said that "The effectual prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16). I am thankful for prayer, and the opportunity I have as a missionary to teach others about it. Prayer is often something we take for granted, when in fact it is the very thing we need to "come off conqueror...and escape the [influence]...of Satan" in our lives (D&C 10:5).
Have a great week!
Love,
Elder Pulley
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