Praying for Strength

1 Nephi 7, contains the story of Lehi's sons traveling back to Jerusalem to bring Ishmael and his family on their journey. I have always found it slightly entertaining that while Laman and Lemuel complain about most things, they didn't complain about this journey, which would have been about 200 miles each way, through the desert. Apparently the prospect of bringing the girls was something with which they could all agree. However, once they convince Ishmael to join them, it doesn't take long for the complaining to start, including half of Ishmael's family (I imagine that a day walking through the dirt and hot sun would make any girl want to change her mind).

Laman and Lemuel encourage a rebellion to go back to Jerusalem and Nephi, again, is the one who has to take charge of the situation. He firsts tries to reason with them, reminding his brothers of the many miracles they had witnessed and the blessings they had received. When that fails, his brothers tie him up with the intent to kill him and leave him for the wild animals. What happens next is of particular interest: Nephi prays that the Lord will give him strength to burst the cords. I love that Nephi doesn't ask the Lord to just break the cords for him and strike down his brothers, he only wanted enough help so that he can take care of the situation himself. Elder David A. Bednar addresses this beautifully:

"Nephi is an example of one who knew and understood and relied upon the enabling power of the Savior...Please note Nephi's prayer in verse 17: 'O Lord, according to my faith which is in thee, wilt thou deliver me from the hands of my brethren; yea, even give me strength that I may burst these bands with which I am bound'. 

It is especially interesting to me that Nephi did not pray...to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances. And may I suggest that he prayed in this manner precisely because he knew and understood and had experienced the enabling power of the Atonement of the Savior".

I can't help but wonder how often we turn to the Lord, praying for him to change our situation, only to be disappointed when that prayer is not answered in the way we had hoped.

Nephi gives us a wonderful example of the attitude in which we should be praying. The Lord is eager to help us, but more importantly, he wants to help us help ourselves. When we step up to the challenges with which we are faced and then go on to conquer those trials we find ourselves growing, learning and becoming the person we have the potential to be.

Imagine if your parents hadn't wanted to put you through the bumps and falls of learning how to walk and instead opted to carry or push you around everywhere, never setting you down to try out your own two feet. You may not have learned to walk and you would have missed out on all the opportunities and growth associated with that.

The same principle is applied to our spiritual growth. We need to use it and exercise it ourselves and when the going is rough and difficult, we can pray for strength and the Lord will hold our hands and help us continue on our journey.

As an adult I have found myself a little annoyed with the "Footprints in the Sand" poem. I know it has good meaning and I can appreciate the sentiment. However, I feel that instead of the Lord carrying us through our trials, he instead walks next to us, close enough to whisper encouragement, offer a steadying hand and share our burdens. I think that it is vital that, especially in our trials, we are the ones putting each foot in front of the other in an active show of faith and courage. It is in those moments of deciding to continue forward that we grow the most.