"God knows the needs of his children, and he often works through us, prompting us to help one another. When we act on such promptings, we tread on holy ground, for we are allowed the opportunity to serve as an agent of God in answering a prayer."

This quote by Kathleen H. Hughes, who is one of the officers in Relief Society, the women's organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, expresses my testimony of prayer.

I know because of many personal experiences that it is often through other people that our prayers are answered.

Several years ago, my husband, our two young daughters and I lived in Utah for a year while he earned his master's degree at Brigham Young University. Upon our return to Hawai'i, we arrived at the airport with enough bags and boxes to fill two vans, but only one van came to pick us up.

We discussed various solutions and then said a prayer, asking for help.

In a few minutes, a friend from our church drove up with his truck. He worked at the airport and told us that he was leaving to go home when he felt impressed that he should turn around and drive to the baggage claim area. As he did so, he saw us standing there and offered his assistance in transporting our luggage back to Kane'ohe.

Another experience occurred when I was president of Relief Society. As I visited with a young mother whose new baby was due soon, she told me she needed a baby crib but couldn't afford one and did not know where she could borrow one. I told her I would help her, but had no success in finding a crib for her to borrow.

I then knelt in prayer, asking heavenly father to help me.

In just a few minutes, the phone rang. The call was from a friend whom I hadn't seen for several months. The first thing she said to me was, "Do you know anyone who could use a baby crib?" She no longer used it for her children and wanted to give the crib to someone who needed it.

I was overwhelmed and told her that she was an answer to my prayers.

Not only was I grateful that heavenly father heard and answered our prayers, but I also was thankful that those who came to our assistance had acted upon the promptings which they received.

I know that each of us can be instruments in his hands in answering the prayers of others.

Betty Poliahu is a teacher at the Kane'ohe Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.