Power of Prayers and The Gift of Tongues

Last Sunday in morning prayers I asked to have the ability to speak well and confidently in Spanish. My prayer was soon answered. We started our meetings as we attended the branch Gospel Principles class. Ron was the instructor. He soon called on me to give the opening prayer. I was able to give the prayer as if I was praying in English. It amazed me to be able to have the words come to my mind(in Spanish) and express them without cutting the prayer short from my lack of knowing how to say the words in my mind translating from English to Spanish.

The next meeting was Relief Society. Again I was called on to give the opening prayer. I prayed silently as we sang the opening hymn to have the words come with meaning and call upon the Holy Ghost to assist us in our lesson and to bless our teacher to share the message we would receive. Words came again with clarity and with a sweet assurance as they came from my heart as well as from my voice.
During the lesson the teacher had given some questions to all of the sisters and I felt impressed to participate and had opportunity to give comments with fluency I had not realize I could give with the words in Spanish again coming in my mind in Spanish easily. After the class I went up to the teacher and could have spoken in English but continued in Spanish. I shared some insights like I would have in English to any other instructor as I thanked her for her preparation and thoughts. I felt a real confidence to not use the crutch to speak in English even though she knew how to speak in English very well.

I walked away from Relief Society meeting knowing my prayer was answered and know I was given briefly the gift of tongues. I sometimes find it is easier to hold back from speaking Spanish at times knowing most of the members in the branch are bilingual. I also know that when I pray specifically for the increased ability to speak (Spanish) with the help of the Holy Ghost my prayer is heard and comes to fruition. I am thankful an dappreciate stretching myself to do my best.

This week we visited with the missionaries for conversational Spanish. The senior companion of the two called upon me to give the prayer as we began. I spoke in Spanish and felt the gift of tongues from Sunday’s prayer still helping me as I prayed. We had a wonderful feeling attend us with the things we talked about and the elders’ questions we answered that they are faced with in their discussions. Our whole discussion was in Spanish and I noticed how much the elders are retaining each week in their understanding of the gospel. We love these missionaries and feel honored to be there encouraging them along in their labors. They are doing so much and working so diligently. They are obedient and we can tell they are happy doing this work.

It is so important they know and learn line upon line and precept upon precept.
Hermana Anna Walser 2 10 13