My Nickel and Dime Prayers
Harriet White of Lamoni, IA, USA
Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint. Break free of the shackles of conventional culture that mainly promote self-serving interests. Give generously according to your true capacity. Eternal joy and peace await those who grow in the grace of generosity that flows from compassionate hearts without thought of return. Could it be otherwise in the domain of God, who eternally gives all for the sake of creation? -Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
When I was a child, I spent precious time with my dad. I would often ask, without forethought as to whether my requests were in my best interest, for the nickels and dimes in his pocket so I could buy a soda, a candy bar, or some trinket. He would, with false exasperation, pull change out of his pocket saying, “Child, you’re going to nickel and dime me to death!”
I often wondered when I prayed if God was ever tempted to say to me in fatherly fashion, “Child, you’re going to wear me out with your wants and demands! You’re going to nickel and dime me to death!”
As my children grew, it was during times of dialoguing about their concerns that we learned the unique gift of spiritual friendship and prayer that moves us beyond the present moment of “I want,” toward a more holistic future. One son, very analytical in his thinking, would share a concern. I would listen, asking specific questions as we dialogued. When we were finished, he would say to me, “Okay, what direction do we need to take in our prayers?” His question told me he understood two very important concepts. First, what we ask for that makes us feel better for the immediate moment may not always be in our best interest. Second, he was able to look to long-term goals and align his present moment with how he envisioned his future.
Spiritual friendship is the gift of having someone who can help us view our present moment in relationship to our future, someone with whom we can dialogue about our life journey. A spiritual friend will listen, ask relevant questions, and help us prayerfully discern the movement of the Holy Spirit in all areas of our life.
Prayer Phrase
“Awake, my soul!” (Psalm 57:8)
Spiritual Practice
The Prayer of the Heart
Early Christian disciples desired to take seriously the scripture mandate to pray “without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The prayer of the heart invites us to pray “continuously” by repeating and returning to a prayer phrase planted for intentional reflection and deepening. Choose a word or phrase (from scripture, hymnody, or personal reflection) that has meaning for you. The Jesus Prayer is one form of the prayer of the heart: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me” (Luke 18:35-43). Invite this simple phrase to repeat in your heart throughout the day, awakening your soul to God’s presence.
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.
