Friday, December 10, 2010

The Five-Finger Prayer

It's unusual that someone sends me an internet forward that I actually read.  I have too many legitimate emails to read, to spend a lot of time going through forwards.  You know the kind I mean--the kind of inspirational messages that can be sappy and can sometimes guilt you about how many people you need to forward this to...or how you'll have bad luck if you break the chain.

Well, this is an email forward that I received and actually opened and read.  I was surprised--it was so good that I decided to share it with you in its entirety.  Since I've blogged so much about prayer, I figured this would fit in well on Love The Word.  So I don't claim any of this as my own.  Its author is anonymous.

Five Finger Prayer 


This is so neat. I have never heard this before. This is beautiful - and it is surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives.


1.
Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. 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 pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.

3. The
next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. 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 your prayers day and night. You 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.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

If you decide to send this to a friend, you might brighten someone's day! 


Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your God is!!!!!
 





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