This is absolutely awesome - and it is surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives.
1. Your thumb is nearest to 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 Prime
Minister, 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.
Wish there were six fingers, because I’d make the sixth prayer a prayer that people would emphasize prayer less in their religious lives and doing good more - actually going out and helping the poor, say, rather than just praying for them.
Was recently talking to a disabled person living alone. He was telling me how happy people are to pray for him - he’s had umpteen prayers, none of which have helped him out in nearly thirteen years (he has a progressive disease, so it’s like praying for someone with Alzheimer’s or Lou Gehrig’s). But while even the most casual acquaintance may offer to pray, it’s quite another thing to get anyone to cut his nails or take out the trash.
Some prayer is sincere, but I think a lot of it is “feel-good prayer” - a cheap and easy way to think we’re getting right with God that can be done at our own time, convenience, and with no trouble at all. Glad Jesus did more than pray for us.
Comment by Darius — May 7, 2006 @ 2:38 pm
Thank you for sharing your five-finger prayer. I am going to use that in my daily prayer time.
“…actually going out and helping the poor, say, rather than just praying for them.”
Unlike Darius, who, although I can understand his sentiment that we all need to be moved to action by love, I don’t think I do anything more important than pray for my loved ones, leaders, etc. God loves our prayers and our conversation with Him. He is waiting for us to ask. I can clip toenails, but God can change a man’s heart. I can take out the trash, but God can clean a sinner’s soul. Of course, we are all called to act in love and service to our neighbor, as well, but nothing is more prideful than to think our works are more primary than God’s will. Isn’t the implication in suggesting that we should pray less that God doesn’t hear our prayers? Why on earth would you even want to suggest that? God does hear the prayers of the righteous; He works things out in His own time. Sometimes His working out is a time of trial in our life. Sometimes that trial is in fact a refuge from a worse trial (read The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom). If anyone imagines they are going to get through life without a trial, they are silly. God allows us to go through trials so that we draw close to Him, so that we can be transformed and grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. “…he’s had umpteen prayers, none of which have helped him out in nearly thirteen years.” Neither you nor I nor he knows that this is true. It is good to help your friend, but never imagine that you are doing more than God is doing in his life. You are looking through a pinhole and God sees the whole picture. Who are you to suggest that God is not moving mountains in the life of this man?
le
Comment by le — May 11, 2006 @ 12:38 am