Third: prayer

I’d like to go back to my mission for my story about prayer. Sorry if you have heard this before, but for me it bears repeating. I recall this incident every time I wonder if our Heavenly Father really knows who I am. Without fail I am reminded every time. He does.

It happened in Beziers, my last area. Six weeks remained before I was to return home and I was serving with a fabulous district, consisting of me, my companion and two Elders, all of whom worked very hard.

Well, it was the first week of the new year and we had been having some amazing experiences with the Spirit. Suddenly, it was as if night were day and day were night. Everything twisted completely upside down for me. There was no particular event that occurred, but doubts started leaking into my thoughts. I started feeling worried all the time and horribly depressed. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t snap out of it. I started praying all the time, but I wasn’t hearing any answers. It became hard to get out of bed in the morning and this dark cloud was all I could think about. I even had the Elders give me a blessing but I could not seem to find comfort.

This went on for a few days until one morning Elder Ellis, my district leader, called to say the mission president and his wife were coming to met with us that evening. Now, this was entirely unusual event. There was no zone conference scheduled in our area nor any apartment problems. I mean, even when my last district leader punched out his companion only the AP’s showed up, not the mission president. Besides, it was a four to five hour drive to get from the mission office out to our little ville. Nevertheless, they was coming.

That night, the six of us (four missionaries, the President and his wife) met in the little building wherein we held church. President Dansie then said something that struck me. Earlier that morning, while he was on his knees praying, he had heard a voice telling him he needed to go to Beziers. He did not know why but he immediately searched out his wife and informed her they were going to Beziers. This said, he calmly proceeded to ask us about the work.

Not once during that conversation did I burst into tears (which I am wont to do) or explain what I had been feeling. Instead, we all simply talked about the work. Then, President and Sister Dansie proceeded to praise us for what we had accomplished. We were told we were doing exactly what we should. The president even mentioned some specifics to me personally and I felt a sudden peace and knew that the Lord had heard my prayers and because I was struggling so hard to hear the soft voice of the Spirit, He arranged for my mission president to come all that distance to comfort me.

I am bawling right now just thinking and writing about it. I am incredibly grateful for a righteous mission president who listened for, then followed the promptings of the Spirit. I am even more grateful for my Heavenly Father and for His Beloved Son, both who know me intimately, right down to the most minute detail. I am grateful for such an experience upon which I continue, even today, to draw strength from. I know He hears our prayers. I know they are answered, although sometimes in strange and unexpected ways. “Look unto me in every thought,” Christ said to Joseph Smith, “Doubt not, fear not.” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:36).

Oh, Amy! Thank you for asking for our thoughts on prayer. I needed this reminder.