I’VE ALWAYS HAD a passion for music, especially ’80s music. Back in May, I went to a music festival in California with a few of my buddies. The lineup featured several iconic ’80s bands.
My friend Shawn was especially excited to see Midge Ure perform. While I was familiar with some of Midge Ure’s music and liked it, I wasn’t particularly looking forward to his set. But once he started playing, I was blown away. His live performance was incredible, and one song in particular deeply moved me.
Here are some of the lyrics:
“Dear God, is there somebody out there?
Is there someone to hear my prayer?
I’m a simple man with simple words to say
Give me, love for the lonely
Give me, food for the hungry
Give me, hope for the children
Give me, peace in a restless world
Dear God, can you hear me crying?
We’re lost and alone and afraid.”
I don’t know this artist’s Faith tradition, but in an interview about this song, he said, “In a way, it’s a double-edged sword that song. It’s like a child’s prayer: ‘Dear God, is there somebody out there?’ And in another way, it’s absolute despondent despair, saying, ‘Dear God, is there somebody out there?’ ”
I don’t know if others were as touched by it as I was, but the moment stuck with me. I’ve thought about how so many people in this restless world are searching for peace, yet aren’t sure where to turn to find it.
Reading the news each morning can be unsettling. We are living in the last days. Prophets have warned that, before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the world will face intense turmoil, marked by widespread wickedness, war and suffering. The Lord said, “And all things shall be in commotion; and … fear shall come upon all people,” (Doctrine & Covenants 88:91).
Even in these perilous times, the Lord has promised that if we are prepared, we shall not fear. While it’s wise to be physically prepared for hard times, the preparation the Lord emphasizes is spiritual.
So, how do we prepare to meet God in a world filled with restlessness, loneliness, hunger, war, tragedy, hatred and natural disasters?
Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is revered as a prophet. Recently, he said, “Now is the time for you and for me to prepare for the Second Coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now is the time for us to make our discipleship our highest priority. I urge you to devote time each week — for the rest of your life — to increase your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is neither too early nor too late for you to become a devout disciple of Jesus Christ.”
What I have found in my own personal faith journey is that the peace our souls desire can only come from Jesus Christ. We cannot control all of the chaos in the world, but we can focus on what is truly most important. We must have an eye single to the glory of God.
Our preparation begins with daily prayer. It begins by reading His words. Read the New Testament in the Bible. Read the Book of Mormon, which reinforces the Bible and is another witness and testament that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He was resurrected.
Our discipleship begins by living our lives in a manner like unto Jesus Christ; full of love, charity, compassion, forgiveness and striving to follow the commandments.
While I do love ’80s music, what I love most is that our Heavenly Father hears our most desperate prayers as well as the most basic and innocent prayers of a child. He loves each of us enough to send His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that all mankind might be saved. In Him, there is always hope.
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Issues of Faith is a rotating column by religious leaders on the North Olympic Peninsula. Bishop Jason Bringhurst is the leader of the Mount Pleasant Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Port Angeles, ComeUntoChrist.org. His email is jasonbring@gmail.com.
