Emulate Jesus Christ -- Post 10: Pray with Faithful Confidence by "Thanking God in Advance."

By Judy Rix...

When I was 18, I worked as a secretary in an insurance office. My boss often dictated letters which I recorded in shorthand. (OK. So it was a long time ago.) Typically he would end those letters with "Thanking you in advance," which I thought was rather cheesy.

However, this cheesy phrase is actually a great method for praying with a positive mindset. By thanking God in advance, we're showing that we truly believe He will hear and answer our prayers. There's a difference between just wishful thinking and positive active faith.

The prophet, Joseph Smith, taught that faith is both a principle of action and a principle of power. It is not a passive belief but active principles that motivate our actions and allow us to tap into divine power. (Lectures on Faith)

Faith requires two things -- OUR ACTIONS to align ourselves with God's will, and GOD'S POWER to bring about the results.

What Is Faith As a Principle of Action?

Taking action is our part in the two - part principle of faith. What can you do to bring about answers to your own prayers? Here are some suggestions.

(1) Keep the commandments. Faith must be coupled with obedience to be complete.

(2) Give 100% effort with all your HEART -- emotions, feelings;  MIGHT -- determination, attitude, confidence; MIND -- brains, thoughts, knowledge, common sense; and STRENGTH -- physical work, effort. (D&C 4:2)

(3). Don't doubt.

Joseph Smith said, “Where doubt and uncertainty are, there faith is not, nor can it be. For doubt and faith do not exist in the same person at the same time. That person whose mind is under doubts and fears cannot have unshaken confidence. And where unshaken confidence is not, the faith is weak.” Lectures on Faith 6:12

The prophet also stated, "...fear or doubt existing in the mind would preclude the possibility of the exercise of faith." (Lectures on Faith, 4:13)

(4) Emulate Jesus Christ by developing positivity in your life. “Thanking God in advance" (stating your absolute belief that He will answer your prayers even before He does) is just one example of positive faith.

(5) Develop your powers of mental exertion and concentration. Learn to focus. Eliminate distractions. It takes practice!

Joseph Smith also taught that “When a man works by faith, he works by mental exertion instead of physical force. It is by words instead of exerting his physical powers with which every being works when he works by faith. God SAID, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. Joshua SPAKE, and the great lights which God had created stood still. Elijah COMMANDED, and the heavens were stayed for the space of three years and six months, so that it did not rain. He again COMMANDED, and the heavens gave forth rain. All this was done by faith. The Savior says, 'If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, SAY to this mountain, remove, and it will remove; or SAY to that sycamine tree, be ye plucked up and planted in the midst of the sea, and it shall obey you.' Faith, then, works by words, and with these its mightiest works have been and will be performed." (Lectures on Faith 7:3)

What Is Faith As a Principle of Power?

When faith is exercised, it allows individuals to tap into a source of power beyond their own natural abilities.

D. Todd Christofferson taught: "There is a level of faith that not only governs our behavior but also empowers us to change what is and to make things happen that otherwise would not happen. ...This was the faith by which prophets 'subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, … [and by which] women received their dead raised to life.'" (Hebrews 11:33-34) 

Christ Showed Us the Pattern

Christ himself showed us how to pray in many scriptural instances. For example, in the Book of Mormon, the Savior visited the Nephite people in the Americas after His crucifiction and resurrection. We learn in 3rd Nephi that he offered several prayers. This is how he prayed:

• He first knelt down upon the ground (humility). (3 Nephi 17:13-15) and (3 Nephi 19:19)

• He went a little way off (privacy). (3 Nephi 19:19)

• He addressed the Father (hallowed respect) (3 Nephi 19:20) and (3 Nephi 17:15)

Note: Although Jesus was speaking directly to the Father, He commanded that when we pray, we do so "in the name of Jesus Christ."

What was the result of these prayers?

• "And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father. And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak. And no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father." (3 Nephi 17:16-17)

• Angels came down from heaven and ministered to their little ones. (3 Nephi 17:24)

• ...they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray. (3 Nephi 19:24)

• ...the light of his countenance did shine upon them, and behold they were as white as the countenance and also the garments of Jesus. (3 Nephi 19:25)

These are only a few of the many examples of exercising faith - filled prayer. In fact, Christ said to the Nephites, "So great faith have I never seen among all the Jews; wherefore, I could not show unto them so great miracles because of their unbelief." (3 Nephi 10:35)

Faith Goes Beyond a Childlike Hope.

Faith is not simply a childlike hope or a wish. It is a principle of action and a principle of power. We provide the action, and God provides the power.

Next time you pray, try doing so with such confidence that you can "Thank God in Advance" for the blessing He is about to bestow.

Remember that our Heavenly Father is omniscient. The answers to our prayers may come in an entirely unexpected way than we had anticipated. Blessings are assured, but the timing is determined by God's will and plan. Faithfully trust in His wisdom, let go, and let God.

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Go to the Source -- What Do the Scriptures and Respected Teachers Say?

BOM Ether 12:12

"For if there be no faith among the children of men, God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not Himself until after their faith."

BOM Moroni 10:23

"And Christ truly said unto our fathers: 'If you have faith, ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.'"

Mark 12:30-31

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength."

James 1:5-6

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God … and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith.”

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