A Prayer Tool

Posted bymusingsofmanettekayPosted inChristian Living, Devotional, PrayerTags:, , , ,

Have you heard the saying the right tool for the job? Usually, this is in reference to productivity and safety. A brief look at any people throughout the history of humanity and you will undoubtedly see instruments, devices, and gadgets created to make a task or job easier to perform. The best tools do generate efficient use of time.

Let’s consider some basic tools we all use such as a knife, pen, or mobile phone. Imagine your current life without these implements. Knives make carving a turkey easier than tearing it apart barehanded, writing would be horrific without pens or pencils, and mobile phones have made communication possible that our ancestors only dreamt of.

Simple Tool
I have a tool I utilize in prayer time and have for a couple of years. My dear friend LC shared the initial idea. When using this I maintain better focus versus my mind racing about like a rabbit running from a fox. Here it is: On index cards, I write the people, ministries, and other things I want to regularly pray for. One person or entity per index card see photos below. I hole punch my cards and use book rings with tabbed dividers for each day of the week.

My simple prayer tool.

From Daunting to Doable
Most likely you can make a lengthy list of family, friends, and others you want to pray for. Add in the pastors, elders and deacons, ministries, teachers, government leaders, etc. and the combined total can feel overwhelming. By spreading these out onto different days each person or item will be brought to the throne on a weekly basis. My prayer time has improved and writing out the prayers causes me to be specific in my prayer.

This paper tool can be revolutionary to those who, like myself, are easily distracted by electronics. But if you’re a techy smartphone kind of person you may find another way to structure your time with reminders. If you have a healthy vigorous prayer time, I urge you to teach others and be a role model for those in your sphere of influence.

Jesus Says
“And when you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they will be seen by people. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But as for you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:5-6, NASB).

Jesus directs us to pray in private without prohibiting public prayer. Private prayer time fosters an intimate, personal relationship. For further details on this see Go into Your Closet.

Gift Giveaway
Dear Readers, if what I’ve shared might enrich your prayer time, it is relatively inexpensive and easy to make. But in honor of the greatest gift ever given—Immanuel, God with us, I’m giving away five ready-made prayer tools.

Five gifts ready to be filled with prayers.

Eligibility and Rules
1. Due to postage costs, this is open only to those who have a mailing address in the continental United States.
2. Must email a message using my contact form stating “Enter me in the gift giveaway” before midnight Central Standard Time on December 13, 2021. Please do not use the comment section for entering the gift giveaway.
3. Limit one entry per person.
4. I will draw five names from the entrant submissions, then email winners, and announce them in my next post.
5. Winners will receive ONE prayer tool shipped via USPS to the address you provide.

Dear Readers
Do you wrestle with staying focused in prayer? Do you have any practices, tips, or tools you employ in your prayer time? What has been a great benefit or resource for you? Please share.

Prayer
Father God, thank You for providing the gift of Immanuel. Teach us to pray as Jesus did and cause us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Yahweh, maker of Heaven and Earth. Holy Spirit correct us and intercede for us when we ask amiss. Thank you for your faithful love that endures forever. Amen.

Author Bio
I am a follower of Jesus Christ, grandmother, great-grandmother, foster care parent, and trauma survivor. I enjoy sipping tea, writing devotionals, prayers, short stories, and unburdening my heart to the Lord. Check the About page if you want to read more of my story.

Would you like to know more about the afterlife and how you can be assured of eternity in Heaven? Check the Questions page.

Check the Free Gifts page for downloadable/printable study guides and resources.

Copyright © 2020-2023 Musings of Manette Kay™ All rights reserved. Requests to the author and publisher, Manette Kay, for permission.

Claw hammer photo by iMattSmart on Unsplash.
Quote added by Manette Kay.

Published by musingsofmanettekay

Sharing bits of memoir in the format of devotionals, prayers, short stories, and occasionally a poem.

26 thoughts on “A Prayer Tool”

  2. This is so good, Manette. I need to revitalize my prayer life. What a wonderful tool! I followed your directions to enter the giveaway. If I win, I’ll happily reimburse you the postage. Blessings!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you, David. There’s such an irony in this. The enemy of souls whispers subtle lies and doubts. I began to wonder if this should be posted. Praise God, for the joy that comes in seeing His hand move when we push past and through our frailties. May the love of Jesus overflow through you today.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Gary. To God be the glory! Tools are great but they’re useless implements unless/until we use them.

      The hammer is of no benefit if never taken out of the tool box and used–it’s just a tool.

      I have a friend who shared it with a women’s group ministry at her church and gave some away after showing her mine. I would love hearing an update or follow-up if it initiates a fresh surge of prayer in your network. I will pray that God move many including myself to deeper, more passionate, communion with Him. Blessings!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. This is absolutely brilliant Manette; I can see our Lord is guiding your gifts effectively sister! At present my prayer and Bible reading journal are in one volume, each daily writing begins with a written prayer for that day. As I read I copy out verses/passages adding notes as He guides me, often these lead to prayer and also to devotional posts. Having said that I may replicate your prayer card system to help me be more efficient in my time of prayer. Thank you and God bless you sister.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Alan, thank you for your encouragement. I’m glad you shared the details of your journal. I still journal too. I think both can be effective and serve different functions. I use my cards for the “list” of family, friends, and ministries I want to continuously pray for. My journal becomes my sacred private time of communication with God. May our wonderful Savior minister to you and through you today.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. What a great idea Manette! Thank you for sharing. I really like how you can easily add a card, the cards are divided by day, and a pack of index cards are easily tucked into a purse.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I can’t take claim for the idea. A friend shared it with me. I tweaked it slightly to fit me. I’m overjoyed others are excited about this. Thank you for the encouragement. May the Lord bless you and make his face shine upon you.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. What a wonderful idea. I started a prayer journal once but I struggled with keeping up with it. This seems like something I can do. Thank you so much for sharing! God bless you!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Marie, I’m glad this sparked an interest for you. I hope you give it a try. Modify it and use it in a way that works for you.

      I have a prayer journal but I use it differently than these cards. My journal is where I pour out my heart to God similar to the way people would use a diary except it’s to my Heavenly Father. I use my cards for people, ministries, and leaders that I want to continously pray for and don’t change them often.

      Your statement, “I struggled with keeping up with it [a prayer journal].” Makes me presume that the journal was something you attempted to do daily but found that didn’t happen. Please don’t be too harsh with yourself.

      When I began prayer journaling, I first gave myself permission to do it when I can. It is ok if I miss a day, week, or month. That took a heap of pressure off and kept me from quitting. I wouldn’t have lasted without that grace.

      Here are a few tips:

      • Write when you can but pray always. Not every prayer needs to be written down.
      • If you miss some days or longer–no problem, pick up and start again.
      • In a prayer journal don’t worry about punctuation or grammar. Just pour out your heart to God.

      Peace be with you.

      Like

  7. I too have used prayer cards instead of a prayer list since 1999. I’ve kept the cards that represent answered prayer. Some record miracles beyond what I asked for; some were answered in ways I wouldn’t have chosen. But either way, the large stack is visible proof: God DOES answer prayer!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Pingback: Scrappy Quilt

  10. I think we all struggle with distractions and other mental assaults when we try to pray. Prayer is, after all, a battle, and the mind is the battlefield. Thanks for sharing this great idea, Manette.
    PS Sometimes when my mind wanders, I just pray about whatever it is I’m distracted by. 😏

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Pingback: Put it On

Comments are closed.

%d bloggers like this: