I love formulas, or step by step equations that can be used to solve every kind of problem. It's how my mind works I guess. So for me it's so cool to see God give us these kinds of equations or formulas to help us in every day life.
I was reading in 1st Nephi of the Book of Mormon and I found this simple yet powerful formula for receiving an answer to your prayer. In 1st Nephi 11 verse 1 we read
"For it came to pass after I had desired to know the things that my father had seen, and believing that the Lord was able to make them known unto me, as I sat pondering in mine heart I was caught away in the Spirit of the Lord, yea, into an exceedingly high mountain, which I never had before seen, and upon which I never had before set my foot."
Nephi wanted to see the things his father saw in visions. So he asks God in prayer if he can have this desire. And as a result his prayer was answered, through the use of this formula.
Step 1: Have a desire to receive an answer. Nephi had a desire to see the things his father saw. Simple enough but important enough.
Step 2: Believe and have faith God will answer your prayer. As it says in that verse, you need to have faith, God can't answer you if you believe He can't.
Step 3: Ponder, or put forth the effort to study things out. Nephi pondered what his dad said about his visions. He tried to make sense of them in his mind and probably did some study to help him understand.
Desire + Faith + Effort (pondering, study) = Answered Prayer
Nephi applied this principle and received a glorious answer (read 1st Nephi 11 to find out). We can all find answers to our prayers. God is willing to bless us and communicate with us, we just need to talk to Him. If we really have a desire to know something, develop faith in His ability to answer us, and put forth all the effort we can into our answer, God will answer you. I know this to be true. I know God loves each and everyone one of us and we all can receive answers to our prayers.
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