Five Fingers of Prayer

I found this in "The Vendor", it does not say who originally wrote this, but I loved it and felt the need to share it with you!

1. Your thumb is nearest to you.  So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you, your family, your friends and your close associates.  They are the easiest to remember.  To pray for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger.  Pray for those who teach, instruct, and heal.  This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers.  They need support and wisdom in point others in the right direction.  Keep them in your prayers.  It is also better to pray for these people than to use this finger to point at them judgementally.  Yes, they make mistakes, but remember they are mere humans.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger.  It reminds us of our leaders.  Pray for the President, leaders in business and industry, and our administrators; these people shape our nation and guide public opinion.  They need God's guidance.  Sometimes it seems we live in days where nobody cares about God's leadership, but remember, even when people don't care, God is still in charge.

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

5. And lastly comes our litle 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."  Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.

By the time you have prayers for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective so that you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.  Should you find it hard to get to sleep tonight, just remember the homeless family who has no bed in which to lie.

Blessings in Christ,