Pray and Work

by J.D. Shaeffer

Allow me to express some insights from my most recent study. In The Book of Mormon, located in the chapter of 3 Nephi 4, we see a divine truth, that when applied, can increase our joy in prayer (if prayer is something you like to do – if not, I highly recommend it).

This chapter is one of many that describe the brutal battles between the horrific warmongers known as the Gadianton Robbers and the righteous Nephites. During this very instance of their war history, the Nephites had collected themselves together and made every good preparation to receive and defend against the Gadianton Robbers (See 3 Nephi 4: 8 – 10). Verse 8 states that at the immediate moment of seeing the Robbers come against them, the Nephites fell down and prayed to God, asking that He would spare them and deliver them from the hands of their enemies. The Robbers, thinking the Nephites had fainted to the ground, when in reality they were praying, were aroused to joy, for they thought an easy victory was close. Verse 10 then says that the Nephites denied this assumption, stating that they were prepared to meet them because they were now in the strength of the Lord. If you want to know who ends up defeating who, I’d recommend you finish the chapter.

Anyways, the point behind all this is a valuable principle of prayer. If we pray to God, asking His help in any problem or struggle in our life, whether it be a matter of life and death or not, we can’t just stay there on our knees and expect it to happen. We must get up and attack the matter head-on and trust that the Lord will bless us with His strength. He’s not going to do everything for us, but He WILL enable us, gladly giving us strength to accomplish whatever He needs us to do.

That’s my testimony and I know it to be true. Pray and work, Boy. Pray and work.