Asking, Crying, and Growing Into Revelation

2 Nephi 4:35 - "Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen." 

President Russell M. Nelson - "Pray In the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses —yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen! Write the thoughts that come to your mind. Record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will ‘grow into the principle of revelation'" 

Prayer, Revelation, Trust in God, President Russell M. Nelson 

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Transcript

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Welcome to Seek This Jesus, a daily podcast dedicated to drawing closer to the Savior through the powerful truths found in the Book of Mormon. Each episode, we focus on one verse that helps us walk more faithfully in his footsteps. In 2 Nephi chapter 4, we find Nephi in a deeply reflective moment. Having acknowledged his weaknesses and wrestled with his struggles, he turns his heart deliberately toward God. Rather than withdrawing or becoming discouraged, Nephi chooses to pray with confidence and persistence. He testifies not only that God hears, but that God gives liberally to those who ask in the right way. Second Nephi four thirty five reads Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea my God will give me if I ask not amiss. Therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee. Yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. This verse teaches us about asking God, crying unto him, and trusting that our prayers truly ascend to an everlasting God who responds. As we study this verse today along with teachings from President Russell M. Nelson, we will consider what it means to seek revelation through prayer and live with purpose in Jesus Christ. Nephi begins with a declaration of knowledge. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. This is not a hopeful guess or a vague belief. It is a settled conviction formed through experience. Nephi understands that God is not reluctant, distant or stingy in his dealings with his children. God gives liberally. However, Nephi immediately adds an important condition if I ask not amiss. This phrase invites us to consider not just whether we pray, but how we pray. Asking not amiss suggests humility, alignment with God's will, and a sincere desire to receive what God knows is best. Prayer, then, is not a transaction where we place demands before heaven, it is a sacred act of aligning our hearts with divine purposes. This teaches us that effective prayer involves trust. We approach God believing He gives liberally while also submitting to His wisdom. When we pray this way, we are not merely listing requests, we are opening ourselves to transformation. We learn to measure our desires against God's righteousness, not against convenience or immediate relief. In our own lives, this principle invites us to examine the intent of our prayers. Are we seeking guidance, strength, and truth? Are we willing to accept answers that require patience, effort, or change? Nephi's confidence rests in the character of God, not in guaranteed outcomes. That confidence can shape the way we pray and the way we wait. Nephi does not describe a passive or casual form of prayer, he says, Therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee, yea, I will cry unto thee. Crying unto God suggests urgency, dependence, and emotional honesty. This is not performance or ritual. It is a relationship. To cry unto God is to acknowledge that we cannot resolve everything on our own. It reflects trust that God listens and that our voices matter to him. Nephi's prayer is rooted in need, but it is also rooted in faith. He knows who God is, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Calling God a rock teaches us something about why prayer works. A rock is stable, dependable and unmoving. Nephi's righteousness is not self generated, it is grounded in God. This means prayer is not just about seeking answers, it is about anchoring our lives to a sure foundation. When we cry into God in this way, prayer becomes a place of refuge. It becomes a place where weakness is acknowledged without shame, and strength is sought without fear. Rather than withdrawing when life feels heavy or confusing, Nephi models turning toward God with greater intensity. This principle encourages us to see prayer as more than routine. It can be deliberate, earnest, and ongoing. Crying unto God teaches us that persistence in prayer is not a sign of doubt, but a sign of trust that God remains present and engaged. President Russell Melson expands this understanding of prayer by teaching how revelation unfolds over time. He said Pray in the name of Jesus Christ about your concerns, your fears, your weaknesses, yes, the very longings of your heart. And then listen. Write the thoughts that come to your mind, record your feelings and follow through with actions that you are prompted to take. As you repeat this process day after day, month after month, year after year, you will grow into the principle of revelation. This teaching reminds us that prayer is not complete once words are spoken. Listening is essential. Revelation often comes quietly through impressions, thoughts, and feelings that require attention and follow through. Writing and recording are not just organizational tools, they are acts of faith that show we value what God communicates. President Nelson's counsel emphasizes repetition and consistency. Revelation is not usually instantaneous mastery. It is growth. We grow into revelation as we repeatedly pray, listen, act, and reflect. Over time sensitivity increases, trust deepens, and spiritual understanding expands. This aligns closely with Nephi's testimony that his voice would forever ascend unto God. Prayer is not occasional, it is continual. It becomes part of a living relationship with God where communication flows in both directions. For us, this means prayer is not only about receiving answers, but about becoming the kind of people who can recognize and respond to divine guidance. Revelation shapes us as much as it informs us. Nephi concludes his prayer by declaring, Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. This statement reflects commitment, not circumstance. His prayer life is not dependent on ease, clarity, or success. It is rooted in identity and trust. Applying this today means viewing prayer as an ongoing orientation of the heart. We do not pray only when life feels overwhelming or decisions feel urgent. We pray because God is our rock and our everlasting God. Prayer becomes a steady practice that keeps us grounded, aligned, and receptive. This application invites us to be intentional. We can approach God openly, ask with humility, listen carefully, and act faithfully. Over time our confidence in God grows, not because life becomes simpler, but because our relationship with Him becomes stronger. When prayer becomes consistent and sincere, it shapes how we think, choose, and endure. Our voices ascend and in return, God's guidance becomes more recognizable in our lives. So here is today's challenge. Set aside intentional time to pray about the real concerns, fears, weaknesses, and longings of your heart. After praying, remain still and listen. Write down any thoughts or feelings that come to mind, and then act on at least one prompting you receive. Repeat this process consistently, allowing prayer to become a continual connection with God rather than occasional response to difficulty. Thank you for listening to Seek This Jesus. I hope this message helps you draw a little closer to the Savior Jesus Christ. Please, don't let this podcast be your only scripture time today. As we open the scriptures for ourselves, the Spirit will teach us things no podcast ever could. If you are exploring the truths of the Book of Mormon for the first time, you can receive a free copy using the link in the description found in every episode of Seek This Jesus. I invite you to come back tomorrow for another verse and message to help you stay focused on Jesus Christ. Until next time, keep seeking this Jesus.