Thursday, May 3, 2012

National Prayer Day~


Every now and then when I pause to pray I begin rambling and my thoughts spew out completely jumbled and muddled. I’m certain this is not significant to God nor a hindrance to my prayers being answered, yet I end up wondering if I mentioned all that I sought to specify in my devotions.
Therefore, in honor of National Prayer Day I’d like to share with you something I was given years ago by my friend Susan (Thanks ShamWow!). I thought it might be helpful for you as well.


1.) Our thumb is nearest us. So let us begin our prayers by praying for those closest to us. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2.) The index finger is our pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, caregivers, and ministers. They need our support, and they need wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in our prayers.

3.) The middle finger is the tallest finger. It can remind us of our leaders. Pray for our president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.

4.) The next finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It can remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble, or in pain. They need our prayers day and night. We cannot pray too much for them.

5.) And lastly, our pinkie, our little finger - the smallest finger of all, which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Our pinkie can remind us to pray for ourselves. By the time we have prayed for the other four groups, our own needs can be put into proper perspective, and we will be able to pray for ourselves more effectively.



"Pray, and let God worry."
by Martin Luther


28 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Simply lovely post. really enjoyable.

Yvonne.

Just Be Real said...

Tracy thank you for the reminder. Appreciate what you have to share on this topic. Blessings.

Chatty Crone said...

I didn't know that it was National Day of Prayer today. And I enjoyed your finger lesson!
sandie

Pellie / Penny said...

Wonderful post Tracy,

I also use the hand of Prayer as my visual reminder when I set down to pray - It help to focus a busy mind.

Hugs,
Penny

TexWisGirl said...

thank you for sharing this! :)

Margaret (Peggy or Peg too) said...

I loved these.
I don't do organized religion but I do pray and believe in God. It confuses most folks but prayer is like volunteering. It helps you as much as those you are praying for.

Maggie from Stillness at Cherith said...

Love the photo you chose for this post.
A very nice meditation.

Arkansas Patti said...

That is just perfect. Thank you, I will use it.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Thank you for sharing this! I learned this five finger prayer guide from a youth pastor a few years ago, and I still use it as a guide sometimes.
Have a beautiful, blessed day!

Ginny Hartzler said...

These are really good reminders! Oops, I forgot about today!!!!

John Teal said...

Enjoyable read, thank you.

Tina Fariss Barbour said...

Tracy, Thank you for sharing that. I had never heard of the finger guide. Most of my praying now is through meditation. This finger guide could steer me to the different areas to hold up to God.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Amen. Thank you for remindin' me of this wonderful readin'. I haven't used it in Kid's Church in some time now.

Have a bountiful blessed day sweetie!!! :o)

Connie said...

I love this, Tracy. I've heard it before and think it is a great reminder to help us when we pray.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

What a delightful reminder for us all!...:)JP

Farida said...

Thank you for sharing the analogy of praying with our five fingers. They do make sense and easy to remember :)

Farida

Lin said...

Very sweet post. :)

I read on my calendar at work that it was National Prayer day. Funny...I was already doing it when I got to work. ;)

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Love the Five Reflections on Prayer, Tracy... I had read them before --but it's been alot of years ago...

One thing is for certain: God knows what is in our hearts even at times when we can't write them or say them correctly.... Hallelujah for that.
Hugs,
Betsy

Tracy Jo said...

Aaah, I needed this tonight. Sometimes, I think too hard and then I can't remember all that I want to pray for...all those people that I said I would and I feel guilty. Or my brain focuses on one silly thing. This helps and I ask God to help me remember everyone knowing he has the power to remember and it is okay that I don't. :-) Sweet dreams!

momto8 said...

I love this prayer reminder..thank you very much, I am going to remember this....see the seed you planted?!

Sherry Ellis said...

I really like this! It's a great reminder on how to keep everyone in our prayers.

Sylvia said...

Love these five reflections on prayer, Tracy, and the photo is just perfect !
Have a nice weekend,
Sylvia

My Mind's Eye said...

I've never heard this before ....very beautiful
Hugs Madi and Mom

Marianne (Mare) Baker Ball said...

Oh, I love this. So sweet and easy to remember. Children could learn this early and use it for a lifetime. Thank you for sharing this!

Connie Arnold said...

Thank you for sharing this. It's a good thing to remember and help to keep prayer focused!

Jaye Robin Brown said...

I've left you an award over at my blog today - Sunday.

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing this. I have never seen this before and you can bet I will be sharing this with others. kt

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