Prayer and Promptings

In my family blog I shared this morning of me having an amazing day even though it might not have readily appeared as such. I wrote about the blessings that came from me trusting my promptings and not allowing my emotions to overcome me.

President Boyd K. Packer talked of the amazing power and influence of the Holy Ghost in his talk Prayer and Promptings. He said that:

"[the] sweet, quiet voice of inspiration comes more as a feeling than it does as a sound. Pure intelligence can be spoken into the mind. The Holy Ghost communicates with our spirits through the mind more than through the physical senses.4 This guidance comes as thoughts, as feelings through promptings and impressions.5 We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes.6"

This description very adequately describes how I personally receive inspiration from the Holy Ghost. It is a thought that is more of a sentence ... a suggestion. It is usually not forceful our loud, but it carries with it the power of truth. It can be ignored but when followed creates a feeling of confidence and righteousness.

Satan knows that the Holy Ghost can communicate with us and tries to hinder that communication as much as possible. Flashes of sinful images or painful experiences can cloud our mind, as can inappropriate lyrics to a song or emotions such as anger. Elder Packer says that:

"When temptation comes, you can invent a delete key in your mind—perhaps the words from a favorite hymn. Your mind is in charge; your body is the instrument of your mind. When some unworthy thought pushes into your mind, replace it with your delete key. Worthy music is powerful and can help you control your thoughts.10"

You are in control of your thoughts. Just because you have a thought does not mean it's right, that it's yours or that you have to keep it. If it's bad get rid of it! Jesus himself told Satan to leave Him alone by saying "Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve."(Luke 4:8)

I often use the lyrics to the hymn I Need Thee Every Hour to clear my mind of painful or sinful thoughts. I also say a prayer or mentally tell Satan to go away. All are powerful tools that I try to employ as often as I can to defend my thoughts and thereby my actions from Satan's influence. I also try as best I can to avoid Satan's influence over me by being cautious of what I watch and listen to.

I love that Elder Packer reminded us that "The Savior said, 'Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you' (D&C 88:63)."