How does this connection work?!

Most people hear “be humble” and think about someone who is too proud to pray.

Someone who thinks they can do it all on their own, or that they need to do it all on their own.

But the opposite is true, too, right?

Someone who thinks they don’t deserve to ask for God’s help.

Someone who is afraid of what God thinks of them. Someone who thinks they need to repent or change before they start communicating with God.

As with most things in life, the answer lies perfectly in the Bible Dictionary definition for “Prayer”.

Even if you’ve read and loved this definition before, look at this portion through the lens of one of the most popular scriptures, “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.” D&C 112:10

Here we go:

“As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part.

“Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship.”

Prayer becomes difficult, unnatural, and ineffective when we forget who we are.

When we think we are too much for God, or when we think we are too little.

But when we remember exactly the relationship that we have with God, when we remember that He is our Father and that we are His children.

When we remember that we are loved eternally and authentically by Him.

When we remember that He is eager to forgive and full of mercy.

Then prayer becomes NATURAL and INSTINCTIVE.

And when prayer becomes a natural instinct to us, God is able to take us by the hand, to lead us, and to answer every prayer.

Not that He grants us every wish and whim, but He communicates because we are ready to hear Him.

So the key to receiving constant guidance and answers to prayers?

Be thou humble, and know exactly what your relationship is like with God.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Humility and answered prayers first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

That’s one of the questions that I get asked the most in my DMs.

Anytime I mention how the Savior is my friend, people start asking.

Because I think so many of us crave that kind of relationship with Jesus.

We all want more friends, right?!

And we all want to be friends with the one who knows us better than anyone else because He experienced it all.

But… how?

My first answer is a question:

Am I a good friend to the Lord?

Do I only contact Him when I need something from Him?

Do I want to learn everything about Him and what He’s done for me, or do I only want to talk about my life?

Do I think of Him often, in both casual and more serious times?

When I’ve focused on becoming a better friend to Jesus, then I’ve discovered a powerful sense that He is my friend, too.

But my second answer is a bit more honest:

I’m never going to be a “good enough” friend to my Savior.

At least not here on this earth.

I’m going to forget about Him. I’m going to be selfish. I’m going to need to take a whole lot more than I give.

And yet… I still believe He is my friend.

“He lives, my kind, wise heav’nly Friend”.

“I will call you friends, for you are my friends”. D&C 93:45

I can’t earn that friendship.

But I can still do what I can to discover my part in it.

He is already my friend. And your friend. And anyone’s friend.

It’s in those moments when I decide to reach out and build our relationship that I feel the friendship starting to grow.

When I treat my Savior as I would a friend, I gain the best, most forgiving, most reliable, kindest, most loving eternal friend that I could ever imagine.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post He is my friend first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

I love it because I can stay in touch with family and friends who aren’t with me.

I show them funny things that my kids do, brag about accomplishments, ask for advice, vent, ramble…

Most of the time, no one is watching live as I send my video.

They’ll watch it whenever they can, and respond when they can.

It’s fun to not have to worry about whether or not they are available to chat – I just send it when it’s convenient to me!

(And no, this post isn’t sponsored by the Marco Polo app “live”  )

But this is how I imagine my constant prayers in my heart to my Heavenly Father, too.

Whenever I’m in a moment of gratitude, pride for my kids, laughter, frustration, confusion, or even boredom…

He is there and waiting for me to share the little snippet of my life with Him.

(Except, He’s always available and always watching me on “live” )

And there are other times where I actually meet up with my friends, FaceTime with my family, or speak face to face with my husband.

Those are important conversations because that’s where the real communication happens, where real bonds are formed, where my relationships become authentic and important.

Our relationship with our Heavenly Father needs BOTH the formal morning/evening prayers AND the constant, more casual check-ins.

Sometimes, I rock at my formal prayers.

But other times, I find myself only “sending Marco Polos” by reaching out during the day in casual moments when my emotions are particularly strong.

I think a good, strong relationship needs both.

We were counseled in General Conference to re-double our efforts when it comes to prayer, and I’ve been examining this balance a lot.

Real, deep, communing conversations with our Heavenly Father are essential in order to get to know Him.

And little, constant check-ins on our part keep our hearts always turned to Him.

Both are important to build and maintain a healthy and relevant relationship.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Sending Marco Polos first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.