BYU-Hawaii business professor William "Bill" Hsu encouraged those who "feel so overwhelmed with things, so stressed out that we feel like throwing in the towel... [to] call a time-out, take a deep breath, get over to the sidelines and talk things over with your Heavenly Father," in his May 13 devotional address.
"Is your life so busy you hardly have time to take a time out?" he said. "Or in life's game, do you have a challenge in controlling your temper or your language? Are school subjects pulling you down? And most important of all, are you trying to do it alone? Or are you smart enough to call time-out and ask the coach for help?"
By "coach," Hsu was referring to the Lord, who promises to give rest to "all ye that labor and are heavy laden... (Matt. 11:28). I bear testimony that He's always here to listen... to our pleas [and] bless our lives."
Hsu explained that as we pray, we should "use the proper pronouns: Thee, Thou, Thy and Thine, instead of the more common pronouns: you, your and yours. By so doing, we show greater respect to our Heavenly Father."
"When we pray, are we asking in faith?" He asked, noting that Oliver Cowdery was told: "That assuredly as the Lord liveth... even so surely shall you receive a knowledge of whatsoever things you shall ask in faith, with an honest heart, believing that you shall receive... (D&C 8:1-2)."
"What about the intent of our prayers? Are we praying mechanically memorizing the prayers like unto the Zoramites and the Pharisees? Or do we find hunger in our souls and pray like Enos and wrestle with the spirit like Alma?"
"I testify that we must follow the words of the Savior as he administered to the Nephites and instructed his disciples," Hsu said: "Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may shift you as wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name."
Hsu added our spirits are also strengthened by attending sacrament meetings, keeping the Word of Wisdom, paying tithing, holding family prayers, reading the scriptures, and keeping morally clean.
"I testify that as we keep the commandments of God, we will be in tune with the Spirit," Hsu said, pointing out getting answers to prayer gives us confidence, but when the answer is no, "it could mean that Heavenly Father would prevent us from getting into trouble."
"What happens if there is no answer? Is it not time for us to take up our accountability and act upon it?" Hsu asked, recalling how the Lord responded when the brother of Jared forgot to pray: "...And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the Brother of Jared and chastened him because he remember not to call upon the name of the Lord" (Ether 2:14).
Of course, the brother of Jared went on to repent, Hsu said, but too often others "rely upon the Lord passively and ask: I am ready to be rich and famous, Wilt Thou find me a job!' Or better still, 'I am ready to get married. Wilt Thou find me a spouse?'"
"If the Lord would answer your prayers at all, it would be something like this: What do you want me to do so you can get a job or marry that eternal companion?"
Hsu added that out prayers may not be answered quickly "because our minds were focused on something else, and we don't recognize the answers when they come. I testify to you that many-a-times the answers may not come as a lightning bolt. It may come as a little inspiration here and a little inspiration there," he said.
"I bear testimony that prayers are answered in the Lord's way as we seek him earnestly. He knows our hearts, hears every prayer and answers in His own way," Hsu said. "President David O. McKay's dedicatory prayer for the Church College of Hawaii is still in the process of being fulfilled 49 years later &8212; years of great faith and good works by students graduating from this campus, by wonderful faculty and staff who shared their knowledge and offered their services to you."
"I bear testimony that as we pray earnestly unto the Father in the name of his beloved son, Jesus Christ, keeping all of His commandments, we will feel His spirit."