The word prompt comes from the Latin roots pro and emere. Pro means forth and emere, which is also the root word of redeem, means to take or to buy. Essentially, the word that prompt comes from meant “to bring to light.” This is what the promptings of the Holy Ghost do. They bring us to the light, or bring light to that which is in darkness. The Holy Ghost does not waste this precious light. He brings to the light at the exact moment that it is needed. That is why prompt the verb, meaning to direct, remind, or bring to the attention, and prompt the adjective, meaning quick to act, are so closely linked. If we do not act promptly on the promptings that we receive from the Holy Ghost, then we are going to miss the opportunity. “But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.” (Matthew 10:19-20). The Holy Ghost is there to give us exactly what we need exactly when we need it. The more we act on our promotings in the very moment that we receive them, the more light we will be able to bring to our brothers and sisters. We are remarkably good at talking ourselves out of following a prompting, or putting it off until we have enough time to forget all about it. That is why we don't get the prompting until the last possible second. We don't have time to let fear or doubt or selfishness smother that righteous impulse. It's as if the Holy Ghost were to hand us an already lit match. If we act fast, we can light a lamp or a candle or a bonfire. But if we sit there and try to think about it, the match will just burn itself out and the light will disappear. Let us not waste the light that the Holy Ghost gives us. With faith we can turn the tiniest spark into a blazing fire, but only if we act promptly.
