And Janet, I agree about missionaries being the most prayed for. I think they are because they need it so much–I did, anyway.

I’ve had the experience of praying for my own husband, while he was away from home and in horribly trying circumstances. I’d done everything I could to aid him–right down to trying to contact missionaries or a bishop in the area, all to no effect. My final resort was a prayer that somehow, he would be put in the path of someone who could and would give him spiritual aid. I know I was in anguish–my heart was breaking for him. I prayed until I felt comfort, that yes, *someone* would be in his path.

He called a few hours later–another man in the same training situation, whom he had met only briefly early in the week, had pulled him aside at the beginning of a break to say, “I don’t know if you’re a Christian man, but I’ve been feeling very strongly led that I’m supposed to pray with you. Can we find some private space to pray? I can’t eat knowing I’m trying to ignore God.”

My husband is not LDS, and I have no idea what denomination that man might attend… but I know my husband, who is normally very private about spiritual things, latched onto the offer of prayer, and they found that space. My prayer of request for him was answered perfectly, and my husband was comforted perfectly, because a stranger on the other side of the continent was that “person in the path.”

With that experience in mind, I look forward to praying for those I know, and those I don’t know. I cannot be on hand to help in every circumstance, but I am always able to pray, and I do have faith that those prayers can be answered.

When we served as Mission President in Korea I often reminded the missionaries that they are the “most prayed-for” people in the world: family, friends, apostles, prophets, every temple session in the world. We can tap into the power of prayers in our behalf with our faith. I know that every time someone says they pray for me or mine I am touched beyond words.

I too, feel overwhelmed at the tragic circumstances (those you mentioned & others) that exist in the world, especially for good people. I believe without a doubt that our prayers, thoughts, good wishes do benefit them and change us for the better.

And I love the idea so many of you have expressed that prayer changes us. This is true; I find myself more open to the Spirit’s guidance when I have been praying for someone.

Thank you for your comments and the warmth of your spirits.

Yes, I believe prayer is a physical, real power. I’ve witnessed it in my own life and others.

I’ll never forget my friend who had just lost her son to SIDs saying, “I can stand on the front porch and literally feel the prayers in my behalf rolling in….”

In this state it’s easy to think I could handle any challenge, heartbreak, disappointment that comes my way. It’s hard to remember feeling depressed, hopeless, heavy. It’s something I think about sometimes…could I keep this perspective through the next round of life challenges (whatever they may be)? What is the source? If I could bottle it, the whole world would be transformed, because it’s so great to feel happy and peaceful. Empowering. It’s freed up resources to reflect, be introspective, and grow in needed ways. I hope it lasts long enough to really glean things that I haven’t known I haven’t known.

I always thought it was weird when people at church would say “be careful what you pray for”. Like prayer was an exercise in carefully wording one’s request with enough legalese to ensure it wasn’t twisted and turned on it’s head. So God couldn’t say “You asked me to help you be stronger!” etc.

I believe Heavenly Father likes answering our prayers, likes blessing us and showing us that He loves us. He likes affirming our faith and letting us know that we’re not alone. But sometimes, just as with His son in the final hours in the Garden, we do need alone time…I just hope I am strong enough to survive it when it comes.

♥