My Foundation: Communicate—Maximum Time: 20 Minutes

Ponder:

When has Heavenly Father answered my prayers?

Watch:

“Creating Lift,” available at https://churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/self-reliance-videos. (No video? Read the transcript for “Creating Lift.”)

Creating Lift

If you are unable to watch the video, read this script.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf:

In order to get an airplane off the ground, you must create lift. In aerodynamics, lift happens when air passes over the wings of an airplane in such a way that the pressure underneath the wing is greater than the pressure above the wing. When the upward lift exceeds the downward pull of gravity, the plane rises from the ground and achieves flight.

In a similar way, we can create lift in our spiritual life. When the force that is pushing us heavenward is greater than the temptations and distress that drag us downward, we can ascend and soar into the realm of the Spirit.

Though there are many gospel principles that help us to achieve lift, I would like to focus on one in particular.

Prayer!

Prayer is one of the principles of the gospel that provides lift. Prayer has the power to elevate us from our worldly cares. Prayer can lift us up through clouds of despair or darkness into a bright and clear horizon.

One of the greatest blessings and privileges and opportunities we have as children of our Heavenly Father is that we can communicate with Him through prayer. We can speak to Him of our life experiences, trials, and blessings. We can listen for and receive celestial guidance from the Holy Spirit at any time and at any place.

(See “Prayer and the Blue Horizon,” Ensign or Liahona, June 2009, 5–6.)

Discuss:

Why is listening an essential part of prayer?

Read:

The following scripture passage and statement by President Nelson:

“I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 8:2).

“Your soul will be blessed as you learn to listen, then listen to learn from children, parents, partners, neighbors, and Church leaders, all of which will heighten capacity to hear counsel from on high” (Russell M. Nelson, “Listen to Learn,” Ensign, May 1991, 24).

Discuss:

How can we learn to better recognize answers to our prayers?

Activity

Step 1: As a group, read the steps below and briefly discuss them.

Step 2: Ask one or two members of the group to tell the others about a challenge or question they have. Everyone else should follow the steps below and try to listen.

Step 3: When finished, ask the group members who spoke how they felt when the group really tried to listen.

1

Concentrate

• Focus on the speaker’s words and body language.

• Don’t interrupt.

• Don’t read or send messages on your phone.

2

Appreciate

• Look at the speaker.

• Use small words like “yes” or “okay.”

• Thank the speaker.

3

Review

• Say, “So, you are saying …”

• Then repeat what you heard.

4

Ask

• Ask, “Did I understand?”

• Wait for and listen to the answer.

Read:

The following statements by Church leaders:

“Our Heavenly Father hears the prayers of His children across the earth pleading for food to eat, for clothes to cover their bodies, and for the dignity that would come from being able to provide for themselves” (Henry B. Eyring, “Opportunities to Do Good,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2011, 22).

“We must ask for help from our Heavenly Father and seek strength through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ. In both temporal and spiritual things, [this] enables us to become provident providers for ourselves and others” (Robert D. Hales, “Becoming Provident Providers Temporally and Spiritually,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 7–8).

Commit:

I will pray individually and with my family each morning and night. I will spend time after each prayer reverently listening for guidance.