Laman and Lemuel have bound Nephi and are threatening his life. Nephi prays for the strength to “burst these bands” and the bands are loosed.
Pres. Hinckley said, “Believe in prayer and the power of prayer. Pray to the Lord with the expectation of answers.”
Do I do this? Do I pray with the expectation of an answer? Well, yes. And no.
When I pray for something, I always give the Lord an out. I pray for a particular result, but then I add an “or.” Keep my children safe from harm or help me to deal with their injuries. Save my business or help me find other work if it fails. Heal me or give me the patience to endure. Were I in Nephi’s place, my prayer would be: break these bands, or soften their hearts, or send someone to rescue me, or if I am to die, take me quickly and comfort my loved ones.
I tell myself I’m being humble, that this is a sign that I am willing to accept God’s will, whatever it may be. And while that is true, it is also true that in my heart of hearts, there is a tiny part of me that does not believe the Lord will answer my prayers in the way I wish them to be answered.
Is this bad? Is this a lack of faith?
When I pray, I always receive an answer—understanding, insight, enlightenment, miracles, comfort. But I have never prayed like Nephi did—asking for a specific result and no other, and expecting it to happen. Am I showing faith and acceptance by ‘giving’ the Lord all these options? Or am I giving options because I doubt He will give me the one I want?
Tough questions. And while the answer is a little of both, there is another answer too. And that is that following the Lord’s will is more important to me than any of other the possible outcomes. I may pray for A, B or C but more than those, I want D—to always do as the Lord wants me to do.
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