In a video about the Church’s efforts to provide training for neonatal medical professionals in developing countries, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said, “Prayers are answered in great measure…by God using other people. Well, I pray that He’ll use us. I pray that we’ll be the answer to people’s prayers.” (See “Video: Saving Babies from Becoming Another Statistic,” on philanthropies.churchofjesuschrist.org.)
About a year ago, Sharon Eubank, who leads Latter-day Saint Charities, shared that quote from Elder Holland, and then added:
Brothers and sisters, through your ministry, donations, time, and love, you have been the answer to so many prayers. And yet there is so much more to do. As baptized members of the Church, we are under covenant to care for those in need. Our individual efforts don’t necessarily require money or faraway locations; they do require the guidance of the Holy Spirit and a willing heart to say to the Lord, “Here am I; send me.”
“I Pray He’ll Use Us,” General Conference, October 2021
When Isaiah saw God in a vision and recognized how unclean he and his people were on earth, he felt a desire to do something. When he heard God’s voice asking, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Isaiah immediately responded, “Here am I; send me” (Isaiah 6:8, 2 Nephi 16:8). He apparently didn’t even know what he would be asked to do, but he was eager to serve.
In the hymn “More Holiness Give Me” (Hymns, 131), we sing, “More used would I be.” When we see the suffering in the world and feel genuine love for our brothers and sisters, we feel a desire to alleviate that suffering. Like Elder Holland, we pray that God will use us to answer other people’s prayers.
Today, I will pray for more opportunities to serve. As those opportunities become available, I will volunteer willingly, as did Isaiah.
Book of Mormon Study Notes 