Focus... Intention... Purpose. To me these words convey power. When I do something with focus and laser-like intent I am better able to follow through. If I lose focus I relinquish results. When it comes to personal improvement and overcoming weakness, sometimes focusing on the desired outcome can feel elusive and discouraging. In my experience, true change (repentance) is best realized by focusing on Jesus Christ. Change - especially personal change is hard to measure. Elder Anderson teaches that repentance is a 'day by day' process. It doesn't happen overnight. I feel like repentance includes every prayer I offer, every moment I spend in the scriptures, every thought of Jesus, and every good deed I do because it helps me to know Him better. As I draw closer to Him I discover weaknesses I still need to work to overcome. That process is always gently guided and graciously delivered to my soul. I love that through prayer, we are guided and inspired on the next steps we are to take in Christlike change. Prayer invites the power to change which is obtained only through our Savior's Atonement. This is essential to our efforts to overcome because we truly need the everyday powers of Christ. Anthony Sweat listed them as an acronym: C-Cleansing power, H-Healing power, R-Restoring power, I-Identifying power, S-Strengthening power, and T-Transforming power. Meaningful, intentional, and consistent prayer invites greater spiritual capacity and the POWER of our Redeemer into our lives. I personally need every aspect of His power to effect lasting change in my life. Elder Andersen says, "We may not always succeed as quickly as we would want, but as we make repentance a covenant part of our lives, miracles occur!" It is my testimony that not only is Heavenly Father anxious for us to draw near, but that as we humbly do so, the Holy Ghost will guide us in the refining process of change and repentance and miracles will follow.
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