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Discovering Prayer (8)

Revd Sue continues our series of articles on prayer
with a couple of simple suggestions

1: Why Should We Pray?
2: Where Do We Begin?
3: How Should We Pray?
4: A Few Suggestions to Help You Pray
5: Can I say the Lord's Prayer?
6: The London Challenge
7: Praying for Christmas: The Advent Antiphons
8: Pocket Prayers
9: Praying with the Saints

8: Pocket Prayers

One quite simple way to help you to pray is to keep something in your pocket as a reminder. Here are two suggestions:

1) A Cross
One possibility is to keep a small wooden cross in your pocket. You can also buy a card (from Maranatha in Uxbridge, for instance) with the following poem on it:

A Cross in My Pocket
I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me
Of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be.

This little cross is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm.
It isn't meant to protect me
From every physical harm.

It's not for identification
For all the world to see.
It's simply an understanding
Between my Saviour and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket
To bring out a coin or key,
The cross is there to remind me
Of the price he paid for me.

It reminds me, too, to be thankful
For my blessings day by day
And strive to serve him better
In all that I do and say.

It's also a daily reminder
Of the peace and comfort I share
With all who know my master
And give themselves to his care.
So, I carry a cross in my pocket
Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life
If only I'll let him be.

Attributed to Verna Mae Thomas

2) Penny Prayers
Most of us carry some coins around with us. The following is adapted from a school assembly by the Revd Catherine Williams, which I found online at The Assemblies Website

Whenever you find a penny in your pocket you can remember to pray:

1. The penny is round - this helps us to remember to pray for the world and to give thanks to God for creation. It reminds us to be responsible for the earth.

2. The penny has the word 'one' written on it - this helps us to remember that God loves everyone; that all people should be united, at one with each other. We pray for peace.

3. The penny has the queen on one side. We pray for all leaders of countries.

4. On the 'tails' side there is a portcullis - this reminds us to pray for those in prison and all people trapped by fear, loneliness or illness. We ask God to keep us safe and protect us.

5. The penny is a very small amount of money. We remember to pray for those who are poor, who don't have enough food, and the homeless.

6. The penny has the date on it. We remember to pray for today - for all that has happened and all that is going to happen.

I hope these simple ideas help to remind you to pray. If you have further suggestions, then please do pass them on, so that we can encourage one another in prayer.

With my love and prayers,

Sue

Next: 9: Praying with the Saints

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