And Do You Hear & Answer Every Child's Prayer – April 19, 2013

As we were retiring to bed, Cassie began to cry and I tried to figure out what she was feeling. She related to me that her Father in Heaven hears her prayers, but that she was worried about how He heard them. I told her that Heavenly Father hears everyone's prayers and comprehends them perfectly and that she should not worry.  She is trying so hard to improve her speech that it is sometimes difficult for her to realize that it is still a long road to full recovery but that she progresses on a daily basis. We've spent time talking and Cassie has requested multiple priesthood blessings to know of the love of the Almighty God and His Son, and to receive comfort through the Holy Ghost. I cannot imagine how difficult this trial is for her, and to know that she has a long road ahead. But as leaders of the church have said, prayer is a supernal gift from a loving Father in Heaven, to draw on a spiritual reservoir of strength and love from His hand.

The sublime words from A Child's Prayer, found in the children's hymnbook, come to mind: 

Heavenly Father, are you really there? 

And do you hear and answer ev’ry child’s prayer? 
Some say that heaven is far away, 
But I feel it close around me as I pray. 
Heavenly Father, I remember now 
Something that Jesus told disciples long ago: 
“Suffer the children to come to me.” 
Father, in prayer I’m coming now to thee. 

Pray, he is there; 
Speak, he is list’ning. 
You are his child; 
His love now surrounds you. 
He hears your prayer; 
He loves the children. 
Of such is the kingdom, 
The kingdom of heav’n.