Sunday, October 26, 2008

Sticky Note Prayers

Have you had a lot of requests for prayer lately? I sure have. The degree of urgency is different but the need is deep for each. A while back I wrote an article on ways to remember and consistently pray for prayer requests. I'd like to share it with you tonight.

STICKY NOTE PRAYERS

How can we “be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:10) as it relates to praying for the requests of friends and family? One effective technique I’ve found is the sticky note system. There are nine (9) places you can attach a note that will remind you who to pray for and what the request involves.

Alarm Clock. If someone has an urgent or time-sensitive request, place a sticky note on your alarm clock. It is one of the first things you see in the morning. A alarm clock sticky note provides an opportunity to pray before your day gets busy and the window of time during which the prayer is needed has passed.

Mirror. Mirrors provide a reflection of ourselves. Requests that involve things like relationship issues or something personal with which the person is struggling go on the mirror.

Phone (Land line or Cell). We use the phone for communication. This is a good place to remind you to pray for a friend, neighbor or family member who is waiting on an answer. Perhaps they are waiting to hear about test results or if they got the job. A note here can also be a reminder to pray over situations where the person needs to confront someone about something.

Steering Wheel. Since we use our car to travel places, this is the perfect place for a traveling mercies prayer reminder.

Radio (car or home). The radio fills our ears with spoken words in addition to music. Leave a note here remind you to pray for the person who needs to clearly hear God’s voice about a situation.

Television. Many of us have found that the television can really distract us from other things we need to do. If someone needs focus in a particular area, a reminder on one of this country’s biggest distractions will work well.

Checkbook or wallet. Placing a note in your wallet or checkbook will remind you to pray about those struggling with their finances. Place the note on your next check or in part of your wallet you see when you first open it.

Calendar. Does someone have an upcoming event they would like prayer for? Why not place a sticky note on your own calendar so that when you look at your own schedule, you are reminded of theirs.

Refrigerator or pantry door. Since we use food to nourish our bodies and keep us healthy, either of these locations serves as a great reminder for prayer requests about health issues.

You may simply write the person’s name on the sticky note. If the request also involves another person, you can include either their name or their relationship to the person. The combination of the name and location will help you remember the specifics of the request. This is particularly important when you have the “curious eyes” of children around. You want to maintain a level of confidentiality. Throughout the week as you encounter each note, you can briefly pray for that person’s request. This method ensures that you are following Paul’s exhortation to “…pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). Here is example of a brief but effective prayer:


Lord you know Mary’s financial needs. I pray Father that you will work in this situation. Help her husband find stable work. Your will be done in this family Lord. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Though brief we know that God will hear and honor this prayer because it states in Psalm 4:3 “Know that God has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord will hear when I call to him.” When you next talk to or see your friend, family member or neighbor, you can rest assured that you have upheld your promise to lift them up in prayer.
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As always be blessed my friends!

8 comments:

Beachy Mimi said...

These are wonderful ideas. I'm going to do that now.

LeeBird3 said...

Love it! If I ever get my book published, one chapter is on "mental monuments" ways to remind yourself to pray for specific things....I may just have to quote you in my book! ;)

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

Very good thoughts here. With my busy schedule I think I shall apply some of these. Thanks!

Last night we took our kids to a Christian drama "Hell's night". The theme was deplicting "going to heaven or going to hell" and was quite frightful. Anyway, after the proram a little lady came up to introduce herself from the church. I caught my breath as at first sight she so reminded me of you. I just smiled and said a sweet prayer for you! I wanted to post last night but it was so late by the time we got back. I miss you friend!

In His Graces~Pamela

Amy said...

This is a wonderful idea, Mari! I need to do this myself. I have so many prayer thoughts running through my mind at any given time, so this would be the perfect thing to help me "focus."
Thanks for sharing it today.
God Bless,
Amy:)

Runner Mom said...

Love this idea!! Thanks so much! Your words are so encouraging!
Love you!
Susan

Joyful said...

I already use most of these ideas and they work great!!! I've found lately that I have so many prayer requests that I've actually added another hour of prayer to my day. It's wonderful spending this extra time in His presence. I'm so thankful the Lord has enabled me to do this with my schedule.

Prayer is the most important gift we can give someone else. Thanks for these reminders.

Blessings,
Joy

lynnmosher said...

As I roam around the internet and join with other groups, my prayer list grows by leaps and bounds. These are great ideas, Mari. Thanks so much for this post.

I also wanted to thank you for your comment on my post. You made my heart so happy! I'm so glad you're getting a fork. It's another great reminder. May the Lord bless you with His promises.

Terra said...

Mari, you left a comment on my blog so I came over to say hi!
Your Sticky Note Prayer post is lovely; a new idea for me, since I continually get new prayer requests.
Good idea.
I see you are on CWO blogroll too; did you see that my book is featured there this month?
Terra