Light at the End of the Tunnel

I'm starting to feel my old energy back again. I'm not quite up to par yet, but I'm getting there. It's such a relief to see a light at the end of the tunnel and know that it's not because I'm dying ha ha ha. My kids have all had some kind of throw-up bug all last week and I've been sick for 11 days, practically bed-ridden. I've had such violent coughing that I think I bruised my diaphragm. I seem to get bronchitis easily. I remember having it a lot as a child. I've never smoked before but when I was growing up some of my best friend's parents smoked... maybe I got a lot of second hand smoke then? I really don't know why I'm so susceptible to bronchitis? I'm just glad that I'm getting over it for this year at least.

There's a bunch of things I take for granted and health is one of those things. Man, when I'm old I hope I die quickly and not from some slowly deteriorating disease that drags out over 10 years... I can barely handle being in bed for 10 days!

Play me that sad song...

Lately, I've been a little under the weather emotionally.

Sometimes trying to pinpoint my depression makes me all the more depressed....

I get depressed that I'm depressed. Crazy ha?

Well, it's at times like these that I find comfort in music.

I definitely feel better when I listen to my favorite bands.

It's hard for me to stay low when I've got music playing that makes me want to dance.

And getting up and dancing usually is all I need to put me back in a good mood.

Occasionally though, there are times I don't mind wallowing in my sadness and listening to a few songs that vocalize exactly what I'm feeling at the moment.

The validating lyrics seem to sooth my feelings of loneliness and I feel like, "finally another human being understands me."

So here is my sad song for the day....

THE TOWER
by, Vienna Teng

The one who survives by making the lives
of others worthwhile
she's coming apart
right before my eyes
the one who depends on the services she renders
to those who come knocking
she's seeing too clearly what she can't be
what understanding defies

she says I need not to need
or else a love with intuition
someone who reaches out to my weakness and won't let go
I need not to need
I've always been the tower
but now I feel like I'm the flower trying to bloom in snow

she turns out the light anticipating night falling
tenderly around her
and watches the dusk
the words won't come
she carries the act so convincingly the fact is
sometimes she believes it
that she can be happy the way things are
be happy with the things she's done

reach out
but hold back
where is safety
reach out
and hold back
where is the one who can change me
where is the one
the one
the one

reach out
but hold back
where is safety
reach out
and hold back
where is the one who can save me
where is the one
the one
the one

she says I need not to need
or else a love with intuition
someone who reaches out to my weakness and won't let go

I need not to need
I've always been the tower
but now I feel like I'm the flower trying to bloom in snow
…the danger and the power; the friend and foe.

Amazing Story of Healing

This is a true story about a man who forgave the drunk driver that killed his wife and two kids. It is so powerful and inspiring!! It's a reminder to me of Christ's miraculous Atonement and the healing that comes from forgiving others!! Take a look and watch this increadible story. Share it with everyone you know :)

Tender Mercies

This past week, answers to prayers have been pouring down on me like refreshing rain. One of the miracles is something I've been praying for a very long time.

I feel like shouting hallelujah!!

In a recent post, I shared a story about a neighbor of mine that had been treating me very rudely for well over a year. Just last week I decided to do a neighborhood BBQ and I made a special invitation to her. I sincerely wanted her to come but didn't expect her to show up because she hadn't shown up to any previous invitations. But to my surprise she came.... not only did she come but we had a friendly conversation too! I felt so relieved. I don't know what exactly softened her heart towards me and I still don't know why she was so rude to me in the first place. I'm just so thankful that things are better now! I am so thankful for the healing that is taking place between us.

"I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are available to all of us and that the Redeemer of Israel is eager to bestow such gifts upon us."- Elder David A. Bednar Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

"One Sees Clearly Only with the Heart"

Photo by, Mark Maybry "Healing"
“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”
- Antoine de Saint Exupéry



“Sometimes the most precious and sacred things are right in front of us, in plain sight so to speak. But we cannot or will not see them.”

[During the Christmas Season] “All of these spectacular displays and decorations that compete for our attention can be beautiful and uplifting…. But if that’s all we see, we are missing something that’s in plain sight. Sometimes despite our best intentions we become so preoccupied with responsibilities, commitments and the stress of our many tasks that we fail to see with our hearts that which is essential and most sacred.”

“Even many who lived during the time of the Savior’s mortal ministry could not see Him though He walked among them in plain sight.”

“The self-righteous and unteachable, those whose hearts were closed to the Spirit could not see Him.

Now, can we see the Christ?

Sometimes when we read about a people who could not see the Savior for who He was, we marvel at their blindness…. But do we also let distractions obstruct our view of the Savior during this Christmas season and throughout the year?

Some are external distractions; the gifts we worry about, the decorations or the glamorous advertising…. But often it is what is inside us that blinds us from seeing the Christ.

Let us see the Christ in Christmas!

Photo by, Mark Maybry "Angels"

This is a season of rejoicing, a season of celebration, a wonderful time when we acknowledge that our Almighty God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ to redeem the world, to redeem us. It is the season of charitable acts, of kindness, of brotherly love. It is a season of being more reflective about our own life and about the many blessings that our ours. It is a season of forgiving and being forgiven. But perhaps most of all, let it be a season of seeking the Lamb of God, the King of Glory, the Everlasting Light of the World, the Great Hope of Mankind, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.

I promise that if we unclutter our lives a little bit and in sincerity and humility seek the pure and gentle Christ with our hearts, we will see Him. We will find Him on Christmas and throughout the year. Of this I testify, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
- Dieter Friedrich Uchtdorf (Apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ)

To watch the full Christmas Devotional click here.

MUST WATCH VIDEO!!

Chris Rice is the original songwriter to "Cry to Jesus." This version is performed by Kenneth Cope. It is so, so very good. I just wanted to share it with all my friends and everyone else in the world! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq7IwPj2-kY

Many lessons I have had lately in Sunday school, sacrament meeting and through my own personal scripture study keep pointing to the principle of repentance. I believe it is a principle that often causes us to fear because we focus on what happens if we don't. Repentance is something I must do everyday because I sin everyday or make mistakes every day... and if there is a day I can't think of something I should repent of... then I should probably repent of that.

Repentance doesn't have to be feared. It leads us to rest in the Lord, to His peace. I want to focus on what happens when we DO repent-
God bless you my friends!

"And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth" D&C 18:13

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord" -Acts 3:19

"turn yourselves, and live" - Ezekiel 18:32

"whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest." Alma 12:34

Repentance = a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world….turning of the heart and will to God, and a renunciation of sin to which we are naturally inclined….Without this there can be no progress in the things of the soul’s salvation… Repentance is not optional for salvation; it is a commandment of God.

Salvation = preserving from harm or unpleasantness, deliverance from evil or danger, deliverance from the guilt and the pollution of sin through Jesus Christ.

Optimism in the Face of Cynicism

This is a continuation of previous posts. I have been sharing quotes from each chapter of a favorite book I've been reading, "Standing for Something" by, Gordon B. Hinckley. This chapter is called: Optimism in the Face of Cynicism

"We are creatures of our thinking. We can talk ourselves into defeat, or we can talk ourselves into victory."

"There will doubtless be challenges of all varieties. No one can avoid them all. But we must not despair or give up. We must look for the sunlight through the clouds."

"Criticism and pessimism destroy families, undermine institutions of all kinds, defeat nearly everyone, and spread a shroud of gloom over entire nations."

"My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we 'accentuate the positive.' I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort."

"What I am asking is that we turn from the negativism that so permeates our culture and look for the remarkable good in the land and times in which we live; that we speak of one another's virtues more than we speak of one another's faults: that optimism replace pessimism; that uncertainty and worry be pushed aside by an enduring feeling of hope."

Emergency Response Fund

I copy clipped this from my churches main web-site, lds.org
Guaranteed that ldsphilanthropies.org is a legitimate and safe place to make a donation. You can be sure your money is going exactly to where you intend it to.

Please help those in Myanmar, China and other places suffering from devastation of natural disasters, any contribution, big or small is appreciated. click here: http://www.lds.org/ldsfoundation/accelwork/humanintereststory/0,7989,599-1-9-2704,00.html

God Bless You!
Alicia

Church Responding to Multiple Emergencies
In addition to the relief efforts in Myanmar, the Church is also currently responding to emergency situations in several other locations in the world. To make a donation to support the general Emergency Response Fund, visit the LDS Philanthropies Web site.


Presiding Bishop David H. Burton has said:
"To help relieve suffering is to cultivate a Christlike character. We are charged, as were those who listened at the feet of the Savior 2,000 years ago, to 'go, and do thou likewise.' The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that it is our responsibility 'to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever he finds them' (Times and Seasons, 15 Mar. 1842, 732).
"May we be generous with our time and liberal in our contributions for the care of those who suffer. May we commit to the principles of Good Samaritanism and be ever mindful of the need to 'go, and do thou likewise.'" - Bishop David H. Burton

You are loved!!

Art work:Under His Wing, by Jay Bryant Ward

There are some wonderful articles published in this month's Ensign magazine. This is a poster included in the middle of the magazine that I thought was absolutely beautiful. Children have increadible faith... I see it in the eyes of my own children. My children are my greatest teachers on what it means to be humble, teachable, forgiving, and believing.

The following poem is one of my very most favorites. As I ponder the words, "Jesus loves me."... my mind recalls this poem.

“The Touch of the Master’s Hand,” -by: Myra Brooks Welch
“ ’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile:

‘What am I bidden, good folks,’ he cried,

‘Who’ll start the bidding for me?’

‘A dollar, a dollar’; then, ‘Two!’ ‘Only two?

Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

Going for three—’ But no,

From the room, far back, a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet

As sweet as a caroling angel sings.

“The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said, ‘What am I bid for the old violin?’

And he held it up with the bow.

‘A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?

Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?

Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,

And going, and gone!’ said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

‘We do not quite understand

What changed its worth.’ Swift came the reply:

‘The touch of a master’s hand.’

“And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A ‘mess of pottage,’ a glass of wine;

A game—and he travels on.

He’s ‘going’ once, and ‘going’ twice,

He’s ‘going’ and almost ‘gone.’

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought

By the touch of the Master’s hand.”

He Lives! Easter Slideshow

**Before viewing slideshow be sure to pause the music on the player located in the top left corner of this blog to be sure there is no conflict with the sound. Enjoy!

I wanted to put together a slide show that told the message of the true meaning of Easter. With alot of work and help from my friend Steve Chipman, it's finally done.

Except for the sketch of Mary and Joseph with the Christ child, only the pencil sketches and photographs on this slide-show are mine. Most of the other paintings I downloaded from lds.org there are a few I found on google. The music to this slide-show is called, "His Hands"-by Kenneth Cope, sung by Jenny Frogley. Please respect copyrights. None of this may be sold, copied or is meant for personal profit. My soul intention of creating this slide-show is to simply share my love and testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ and is not meant to advertise myself or to sell art. Even my website is not for personal gain but is set up to share what I consider the best news in the world!

If you feel inspired, uplifted or touched by this please share it.... this is meant to be passed along.

May also be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TgRGzV2iWs

Thank you, and God bless you!
Alicia

Featured Artists in the slideshow: Harry Anderson, Robert T. Barrett, Carl Heinrich Bloch, Ford Madox Brown, Grant Romney Clawson, Ted Henniger, Heinrich Hofmann, Greg K. Olsen, Del Parson, Clark Kelley Price, Walter Rane, Alicia Rawlins, Ken Riley, John Scott, Liz Lemon Swindle

Prodigal Son

Painting by:Clark Kelley Price

Today in Sacrament Meeting a young man got up and bore his testimony of the saving power of Jesus Christ. He said it had been 10 years since he had come to church and how grateful he was to be back. I didn't know him personally but was extremely touched by his pure and simple testimony. It made me recall the parables of the Prodigal Son, and the Lost Sheep in the New Testament and also the story of Alma, the younger, from the Book of Mormon. I felt like celebrating for this brave young man and to encourage him to "press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men"... and to "press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end." 2 Nephi 31:20

Jesus taught, "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." - Luke 15:4,5 "

"And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you,... that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy." - Alma 36: 17-21

I'm so proud of that young man who shared his beautiful testimony in church today. I feel a greater desire to reach out to those who are lost that they too may know the saving power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.
God Bless You!
Alicia

The Healing Power of Forgiveness

If you choose to read only one post on my blog.... read this one!!!! This is an excerpt from a beautiful talk given April 2007, by President James E. Faust of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I encourage you to read this wonderful true story about the healing power of forgiveness:

"My dear brothers and sisters and friends, I come before you humbly and prayerfully. I wish to speak on the healing power of forgiveness.

In the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania, a devout group of Christian people live a simple life without automobiles, electricity, or modern machinery. They work hard and live quiet, peaceful lives separate from the world. Most of their food comes from their own farms. The women sew and knit and weave their clothing, which is modest and plain. They are known as the Amish people.
A 32-year-old milk truck driver lived with his family in their Nickel Mines community. He was not Amish, but his pickup route took him to many Amish dairy farms, where he became known as the quiet milkman. Last October he suddenly lost all reason and control. In his tormented mind he blamed God for the death of his first child and some unsubstantiated memories. He stormed into the Amish school without any provocation, released the boys and adults, and tied up the 10 girls. He shot the girls, killing five and wounding five. Then he took his own life.

This shocking violence caused great anguish among the Amish but no anger. There was hurt but no hate. Their forgiveness was immediate. Collectively they began to reach out to the milkman’s suffering family. As the milkman’s family gathered in his home the day after the shootings, an Amish neighbor came over, wrapped his arms around the father of the dead gunman, and said, “We will forgive you.”1 Amish leaders visited the milkman’s wife and children to extend their sympathy, their forgiveness, their help, and their love. About half of the mourners at the milkman’s funeral were Amish. In turn, the Amish invited the milkman’s family to attend the funeral services of the girls who had been killed. A remarkable peace settled on the Amish as their faith sustained them during this crisis.

One local resident very eloquently summed up the aftermath of this tragedy when he said, “We were all speaking the same language, and not just English, but a language of caring, a language of community, [and] a language of service. And, yes, a language of forgiveness.”2 It was an amazing outpouring of their complete faith in the Lord’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”3

The family of the milkman who killed the five girls released the following statement to the public:
“To our Amish friends, neighbors, and local community:
“Our family wants each of you to know that we are overwhelmed by the forgiveness, grace, and mercy that you’ve extended to us. Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. The prayers, flowers, cards, and gifts you’ve given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you.
“Please know that our hearts have been broken by all that has happened. We are filled with sorrow for all of our Amish neighbors whom we have loved and continue to love. We know that there are many hard days ahead for all the families who lost loved ones, and so we will continue to put our hope and trust in the God of all comfort, as we all seek to rebuild our lives.”4

How could the whole Amish group manifest such an expression of forgiveness? It was because of their faith in God and trust in His word, which is part of their inner beings. They see themselves as disciples of Christ and want to follow His example.

Hearing of this tragedy, many people sent money to the Amish to pay for the health care of the five surviving girls and for the burial expenses of the five who were killed. As a further demonstration of their discipleship, the Amish decided to share some of the money with the widow of the milkman and her three children because they too were victims of this terrible tragedy.

Forgiveness is not always instantaneous as it was with the Amish. When innocent children have been molested or killed, most of us do not think first about forgiveness. Our natural response is anger. We may even feel justified in wanting to “get even” with anyone who inflicts injury on us or our family.

Dr. Sidney Simon, a recognized authority on values realization, has provided an excellent definition of forgiveness as it applies to human relationships:

“Forgiveness is freeing up and putting to better use the energy once consumed by holding grudges, harboring resentments, and nursing unhealed wounds. It is rediscovering the strengths we always had and relocating our limitless capacity to understand and accept other people and ourselves.”5

Most of us need time to work through pain and loss. We can find all manner of reasons for postponing forgiveness. One of these reasons is waiting for the wrongdoers to repent before we forgive them. Yet such a delay causes us to forfeit the peace and happiness that could be ours. The folly of rehashing long-past hurts does not bring happiness.

Some hold grudges for a lifetime, unaware that courageously forgiving those who have wronged us is wholesome and therapeutic.

Forgiveness comes more readily when, like the Amish, we have faith in God and trust in His word. Such faith “enables people to withstand the worst of humanity. It also enables people to look beyond themselves. More importantly, it enables them to forgive.”6

All of us suffer some injuries from experiences that seem to have no rhyme or reason. We cannot understand or explain them. We may never know why some things happen in this life. The reason for some of our suffering is known only to the Lord. But because it happens, it must be endured. President Howard W. Hunter said that “God knows what we do not know and sees what we do not see.”7

...If we can find forgiveness in our hearts for those who have caused us hurt and injury, we will rise to a higher level of self-esteem and well-being. Some recent studies show that people who are taught to forgive become “less angry, more hopeful, less depressed, less anxious and less stressed,” which leads to greater physical well-being.9 Another of these studies concludes “that forgiveness … is a liberating gift [that] people can give to themselves.”10

In our day the Lord has admonished us, “Ye ought to forgive one another,” and then makes it requisite when He says, “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.”11

A sister who had been through a painful divorce received some sound advice from her bishop: “Keep a place in your heart for forgiveness, and when it comes, welcome it in.”12 For the Amish, it was already there because “forgiveness is a ‘heartfelt’ component of [their] religion.”13 Their example of forgiveness is a sublime expression of Christian love." - President James E. Faust, ("The Healing Power of Forgivess") Excerpt taken from the May, 2007 Ensign

To the Victims of the Shooting

My heart goes out to the victims of the shooting in Illinios yesterday. It seems these stories are increasing in frequency. These acts of violence are so sad, and it's hard for me to wrap my brain around why someone would do such a thing. It is also difficult for me to comprehend the heartbreaking pain that one must go through in such a situation. I pray for healing to take place among the victims of this terrible tradgedy, I pray for the hope of Christ to shine brightly in their minds and hearts during such a dark time.

I'd like to share the words to this beautiful hymn as a tolken of my prayers in the behalf of all who are suffering from broken lives, bitter anquish, despair, grief and loss of hope. Whether they are victims of this tradgedy in Illinois, victims of abuse, disease, sickness, poverty or the awful chains of sin. I know that my Redeemer lives, I trust in His power to heal, to forgive, to help us stand firm amidst the storms of life. He is there for you too. He is real, of this I know.

Master the Temest is Raging

"Master, the tempest is raging!

The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o'ershadowed with blackness.

No shelter or help is nigh.

Carest thou not that we perish?

How canst thou lie asleep

When each moment so madly is threat'ning

A grave in the angry deep?

Master, with anguish of spirit

I bow in my grief today.

The depths of my sad heart are troubled.

Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish

Sweep o'er my sinking soul,

And I perish! I perish! dear Master.

Oh, hasten and take control!

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will

Peace be still. Peace be still.

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea

Or demons or men or whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies

The Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace be still. Peace be still.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will:

Peace, Peace...be still.

Master, the terror is over.

The elements sweetly rest.

Earth's sun in the calm lake is mirrored,

And heaven's within my breast.

Linger, O blesssed Redeemer!

Leave me alone no more,

And with joy I shall make the blest harbor

And rest on the blissful shore."

Written by- Mary Ann Baker

(Page 105, in the Hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

"Did you think to pray?"

I was studying the 6th Chapter of Luke yesterday, verses 1-12: The scribes and pharisees were so self-righteous that instead of trying to come to know Jesus, to really listen to His teachings and soften their hearts, they were consumed with finding fault and seeking to find accusation against Christ.

It is on the Sabbath day and Jesus has healed a man with a withered hand. Instead of rejoicing in this and acknowledging His power they find fault and question in their hearts why Christ is healing someone on the Sabbath.

Jesus, knowing their thoughts, turns to them and asks, "Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to destroy it?" Then Jesus tells the man He just healed to show his hand to the scribes and pharisees... did they now understand who Jesus was? Were their hearts softened by His power....they just witnessed a great miracle! Now would they follow Him? NO! In fact, the scripture says they were furious, "they were filled with madness" and they talked about how they would destroy Jesus!

How disappointing and frustrating, after all the good the Savior did to see them not only close their eyes and harden their hearts but seek His destruction. And how did Jesus respond to this? (I know how I would have responded...and it wouldn't have pretty.) What did Jesus do after this encounter? In verse 12 it says, "He went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God." He prayed!!!

What was He praying for? Could it be He prayed for the very thing He taught in His sermon on the mount? "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matt 5:44 & Luke 6: 27,28) Wow, what an amazing example of humility and meekness!

When I apply this to my own life... I think of the times I have been falsely accused and despitefully used. I think of the times when my religion has been persecuted, falsely accused and even openly hated and sought to be destroyed. How do I respond? Do I lick my wounds and let anger consume me? Or do I follow my Savior's example and teachings?

I pray to my Father in Heaven to give me love like His Son, Jesus Christ... give me strength and humility like His during times of persecution and trial. I can't do it without Him - I need His Grace, I need His enabling power!

After I read my scriptures this morning, this hymn kept playing in my mind:

Hymn #140 in the LDS Hymn Book: "Did you think to pray?"

"Ere you left your room this morning,
Did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ, our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor
As a sheild today?

When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother,
That you might forgive another
Who had crossed your way?

When sore trials came upon you,
Did you think to pray?
When your soul was full of sorrow,
Balm of Gilead did you borrow
At the gates of day?

Oh, how praying rests the weary!
Prayer will change the night to day.
So, when life gets dark and dreary,
Don't forget to pray."