One "song" keeps playing on my mind and I need to "sing" it to you: Prayer! The emails I receive this time from friends all over the world only reinforce the beautiful "melody." Yesterday, for example, someone sent me this simple comprehensive method of prayer - it's called 5-finger prayer.1. Our thumb is nearest to us. So we can 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 next finger is the pointing finger. Let us pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, communicators and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Let us keep them in our prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Let us pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should 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 comes 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 should remind us to pray for ourselves. By the time we have prayed for the other four groups, our own needs will be put into proper perspective and we will be able to pray for ourselves more effectively.
And just now, another email arrived carrying this beautiful slide on the same "melody." Enjoy it and sing it with me as you go through the ups and downs of your life today: http://www.slideshare.net/gemmav/asap/
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Let us pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, communicators and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Let us keep them in our prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Let us pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should 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 comes 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 should remind us to pray for ourselves. By the time we have prayed for the other four groups, our own needs will be put into proper perspective and we will be able to pray for ourselves more effectively.
And just now, another email arrived carrying this beautiful slide on the same "melody." Enjoy it and sing it with me as you go through the ups and downs of your life today: http://www.slideshare.net/gemmav/asap/
