The Power of Prayer

It's a phrase we have all heard a million time. "The power of prayer." 

Notice the power part. Do we ever really sit back and think about that. How much power is vested in our prayers? And do we truly believe in that power? Do we believe that through them we are heard, answered, helped, protected. 

The last 6 1/2 weeks, I have witnessed, how powerful, prayer can be....and is. 

It's incredible to me that we can so easily communicate with our Father in Heaven. Through a simple prayer, he hears us. 

Prayer is such an easy thing. Such a crucial thing. It allows us to thank our Father for all we have, to ask for blessings in our lives, or for help to be given to others, for answers and guidance, and strength when we are in need. But how often to we forget to offer up our thanks to the Lord? I know I haven't always been the best at remembering to say my prayers morning and night, and everywhere in between. There have been times in my life where I have slacked, big time. Why is it, that it is so easy to forget to do the littlest and most simple things, like prayers? I ask myself that all the time. I have felt that during the times in my life where I need something, whether it be an answer, help, or comfort, is when I seem to offer up my heart more than ever. 

I want to kick myself for that. 

How come, only in the times where I need him most, am I saying my most genuine prayers?! Never forgetting them, whether it be morning, night, and all the moments in between. 

I once had a lesson in young womens, about exact obedience. It was a couple of years ago, and it really hit me, and has stuck with me every day since. We were taught that we should be living our lives with exactness. Especially with the little things. Prayer, scripture study, attending church meetings, being that light to those who need it, and trying our best to become like christ every day. Those things are not hard. If you really think about it, they are so so simple. It is about giving your best effort, and putting the Lord first. So why do I forget them so easily. Letting the unimportant things cloud my judgement and get in the way of whats really important. 

The past 45 days I have had a lot of time to reflect on that. I've asked myself, how could I that? How could I let myself go to sleep at night without saying a prayer because I was too tired, or how could I justify not saying one in the morning because I was in a rush and didn't have time. But then, when I really need something from my Father in Heaven, ohhhhhh then I'm not too tired, then I have all the time in the world. REALLY? Really, Autumn. Well, if there is one thing I have learned the past 45 days, it is that I need to be better at living my life with exact obedience. And I have promised myself, and my Heavenly Father, that for as long as I live, I will never EVER, neglect or forget to kneel down every night, and every morning, and offer up a genuine prayer. 

Because the truth is. I always need him. ALWAYS. It may not be a tragic circumstances, help on a test (haha), or an answer to something...life might be going great, smooth, perfect, but i STILL need him. Everyday, I need him. So how could I forget to pray.

Another thing that I have really come to understand more, are prayers of gratitude. We have sure said a lot of those lately. After every word of good news, or little improvement/progress...you bet it's time for a prayer of thanks. I feel like, through thanking my Father for all of those things, good and bad, small or big, it shows your love for him, and your gratitude as well as your faith. I've made a much better effort to thank him for the bad stuff, just as much as the good. Because as hard as it might be, and as mad as it makes me, I know that it's all part of that plan. And its just another opportunity to become better and to grow. 

I know that prayer is not just offered vocally, but secretly, within our hearts, and thoughts as well. 

When I first heard about my brothers accident, the first thing I did was kneel down and pray. I grabbed all of my roommates and asked them to say another with me. As I was sobbing, asking Heavenly Father to please be with my brother and to not let him quit fighting just yet, I continued on...and a calm came over me. I was able to finish the prayer without a tear in my eye. 

As I drove home, I said a million more prayers, but asked specifically that he would be able to make it through the surgery, and it was like all of a sudden, all the worry, all of the fear, all of the sadness was gone from within me. 

I got to the hospital and my little brother was still here, still alive, and still had a chance. 

That 2nd week when he had the scare, and we thought we were going to lose him, as me and my dad rushed out of his room while, nurses and doctors rushed in, I grabbed him and held him close, crying, shaking, as I prayed to my Father in Heaven to please help him though this, and to not let him give up yet. That same calm came over me, and I finished the prayer without a tear in my eye. I rushed outside and told everyone to please say a prayer for him, came back in and dropped to my knees once again. I swayed back and forth, trying to block all of the beeping machines from my mind, praying that my brother could hold on, even if it was for just a little bit longer. 

He did. 

When Britton's brain was starting to droop down close to his brainstem, we knew that if it were to touch, that would be the end. The doctors told us he was in a very risky situation and it would take a miracle for the swelling and pressure in his brain to subside and allow the brain to bring itself back up. I prayed with more intent than I ever have in my entire life for a solid week, because I knew that my brother was very close to potentially passing away. I prayed and prayed and prayed, along with all of you. We were constantly checking the ICP monitor, praying that it wouldn't get too high. The doctors were doing everything they could, they put in drains, drilled holes, did all they could to try and relieve as much pressure as possible. Britton was taken down for an MRI, which was scary enough in itself. This would determine the state of his brain and if it was getting any closer to the brain stem. I couldn't sleep a wink that night. None of us could. Fearful for what the news might be. I kneeled down with my mom and brothers that night, and prayed. I prayed as hard as I ever had before. Pleading with my father in Heaven that the results might be positive, or at least to help my brother to hold on for just a little bit longer. I know all of you were doing the same thing that night, and all the nights before. I woke up the next morning, afraid to move, afraid to look at my phone, we hadn't heard from my dad yet about how it went. Me and my mom rushed over to the hospital, afraid of what might be...

His brain had moved back up, away from the brain stem. There was no explanation for it, everyone was shocked, couldn't believe it.  It was a miracle. and that is all there is to it. 

When Britton had the skull put back on and the shunt placed on the other side of his head, the surgery was very risky. A lot of bad things could have potentially happened, the list was huge. There was no way for the doctors to know if putting it back on was the right move, but they decided to go for it and hope for the best. We were so confident in them, and knew they knew what would be best. So we prayed and prayed and prayed, that it would all go well, that there wouldn't be any difficulties, and if there were, that our sweet boy would be able to hang on...just a little longer. 

Everything went perfect. All of the bad things that could've presented themselves, were not factors. It went about as smooth as it could've. 

And here we are today, as Britt fights these bacterial infections that are targeting his heart, brain and lungs. One of them being a Super Bug, and very dangerous and difficult to treat, the others being in his lungs yet very manageable if treated right for a boy his age. When we got news that Britt had contracted these sicknesses, it was really hard, especially after all of the progress he had made and all he has gone through up to this point. I couldn't believe that he would have to face yet another obstacle, as if it hadn't already been hard enough for him. I've prayed and prayed, asking my Father in Heaven to please help his little body fight off these bugs, and for the antibiotics to be successful. To help him stay strong, and to not let him quit just yet. 

Brittons lab results and blood cultures have showed significant improvements over the last couple of days, suggesting that his body is fighting off the bacteria and the antibiotics working so far. 

I have been praying for the past 45 days that my sweet little brother will open those eyes of his. I've asked that when he is ready, on his own time, for him to open them up. I know Heavenly Father hears those prayers, and he knows the desires of my heart. He's just waiting to answer that one I think. 

The thing is. Prayer is the most powerful tool we have. And I know, without a doubt, that all of these things have come to pass, not because of my prayers, or my families. 

But because of YOURS! 

All of OURS together.  

Combined, we are saying thousands of prayers each day, for one boy. 

As I sit here, typing, my tears fall onto the keyboard. I cannot wrap my head around that. thousands and THOUSANDS of prayers, being said for my little brother, every day. From the hearts of strangers and friends all over the world. To know that my sweet brother has you behind him, supporting him, pulling for him, enough for you to ask God to help him. 

I know, he is still with us, because of just that. Because of you.

Your prayers. Your faith. Your belief in him. 

There is strength in numbers. And he has needed all the strength he could get since day 1. 

You will never know how thankful I am to you. 

I know that there is incredible power in prayer, there is proof of that, and he is laying in the bed I'm starring at. 

Matthew 7: 7 ¶Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

D&C 19: 28 And again, I command thee that thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart; yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.