Something is on the horizon. We can all feel it. It’s urgent that we wake up from our slumber. Are our lamps filled with oil? Are we prepared?

How can we prepare? How do we fill our lamps?

Prayer is still one important answer.

When did prayer become an option? Prayer used to be a daily thing for the majority of Christians. We prayed as families in preparation to eat a meal. We prayed as families at bed time. We prayed as families on Sunday’s. We even prayed in school. We often prayed for protection and guidance.

For many, prayer has been set aside and is only practiced for special days or events. It’s probably why we have forgotten who we are as spiritual children of God.

Prayer is our lifeline and how we receive answers and revelations from our Heavenly Father. Truth is revealed to us through that connection.

As we pray often, it helps us to recognize His voice. We become familiar with the guiding voice of the Holy Ghost.

We are always being guided. We just may not be familiar with the nudges or His voice. It’s never a panicked voice. It’s always calm and direct.

We need guidance more than ever these days. The devil is cunning and his fallen angels are running rampant at this time. It’s impossible to discern truth from lies without faith and familiarity with the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Prayer is a way to know His voice and to receive the answers and guidance we need.

In the scriptures it mentions that some things require both fasting and prayer. Mark 9:29: And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

Finding a church community and keeping the Sabbath Day Holy is another way for your lamps to be full. Going to church each week and partaking of the sacrament, reminds us that we are taking upon us the name of Christ. We are beginning each week armed with His armour (Ephesians 6:11-24).

Reading scriptures is another way to awaken from our slumber. As we search, ponder, and pray about the things we are reading; we will receive our answers.

In summary, some answers to the question, “How do we prepare?” are as follows: Praying OFTEN, Fasting, Church Attendance –Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy, Partaking of the Sacrament, and Reading and pondering Scriptures, are all good ways to start.

The time is drawing nearer for the day of our Saviors return.

Let us also remember: Every day is a gift. We are not promised another day of life.

May we live our lives well and fill the measure of our creation. May we love our neighbors as ourselves, and may we lovingly minister unto one another.

God, help us to awaken to our true identity. Help us to connect more with Thee. Help us be prepared, that our lamps may continuously be full. May Thy spirit always be with us to guide us and deliver us from evil.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

Matthew 25:1-13King James Version

25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.