Box of Prayers

Yesterday I caught up with a video blog which had been shared by Joel Virgo, the senior leader at Church of Christ the King Brighton.  Joel was giving practical advice and encouragment and a suggested tool to help Christian's pray.

The idea is to create a prayer card for each concern or person that you want to pray for.  For example you put the concern or person's name on the top of the card and then make notes of the specific things for which you want to pray e.g. the things for which you want to thank God and also your specific prayer requests relating to that person or issue.  Joel also said that we could use the cards to make a note of any prophetic words, bible verses or promises that are encouraging for us to focus on while we pray.

I thought it sounded like an excellent idea as sometimes my own prayer time can be a little erratic and disjointed and it is easy to get distracted and to find my mind wandering. 

After work I popped into a local office supply shop and purchased some record cards and a little box in which to keep them safe.  Back at home I made a start on writing out a card for each family member and friend for whom I am currently praying.  I have a card for my husband, each of my two sons, my parents, each of the three children we sponsor, my brother, my closest friends and other friends and family members with either health issues or other prayer needs. I included cards for mine and David's bosses. I also have cards for the elders in my church and the church itself and for non Christian family members / friends for whom I am praying for salvation.  I added a couple of cards for prayer requests which friends in my church have recently shared. I have a card for particular causes which are important to me and for which I have a heart interest - like the plight of Street Children in India.
 

There are so many people and situations for which I could pray and as I was writing out each card it was really helpful to clarify my thoughts and prayer requests for each individual person and issue.  It took quite a while and even just thinking off the top of my head I soon had at least 30 prayer cards each with several reminders and prayer points listed on it.  I am soon I shall be adding many more prayer cards as different prayers and people come to my mind.

What is great it that now, when I sit down to spend some quiet time with God, I can get my box of prayers out and can flick through the cards to help focus my mind and ensure my prayers are specific and concentrated on the things that really matter to me right now.  I certainly shouldn't find it hard to remember what I am supposed to be praying for again!

I am going to see how I get on but if it turns out to be as helpful as I expect it to be I might also buy boxes for David and Seb so they can do the same!