A Praying Life

Most mornings after I read my Bible and record in my thank-You log, I pray following my scribbles on 3 x 5 cards. I’ve used them for ten years, since reading the excellent book, A Praying Life by Paul Miller. One chapter describes how he organizes his prayer life. The cards have helped me stay focused while I pray.  I have a card for my husband, for each of our daughters and their families, and for our son. There’s a card that includes friends from church, another with friends from our small group, neighbors in a Bible study, cards for missionaries, and a card for me. It’s a fine way of tracking prayer requests. I use pencil so I can erase as God answers a request or things change and there is no longer that need. At the top of each card is a Bible verse to guide my prayers.

One index card is for my prayer partner, Diana. She and I promised to pray for each other daily after I moved so far away we couldn’t meet in person. Once a week we email each other, sending our prayers for our families, one another, and ourselves. I look forward to Wednesdays to read and join her prayers in my inbox. It’s a joy to hear of answers and progress in struggles as well as learning new burdens to cast on our caring heavenly Father in Jesus’ name (1 Peter 5:7).

I’ve moved closer now, and a few weeks ago, Diana and I met in person at a restaurant halfway between our homes. After a meal and conversation, we prayed together in the front seat of her car. There was something exceptional about praying in person, hearing her voice with spontaneous intercessions and praises joined with mine.

Please reply and let me know how I may pray for you.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?  One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.” Psalm 27:1, 4, 5