Blogger friend, Linda Stoll, concluded a recent post with the following prayer:
“Holy Spirit, please do what You do best –
comfort, refresh, convict, prompt,
guide, protect, calm, and strengthen.
Delight us with an abundance
of Your refreshing presence.”
–Linda Stoll
https://lindastoll.substack.com/p/come-hungry-porch-221
Those verbs could provide helpful prayer-starters, I thought, and told Linda in the comments I’d be copying those verbs on a 3 x 5, to add the list to my prayer box:
She responded, “I love that you have a prayer box . . . Please write a post on this someday, ok, Nancy?”
Well, Linda (and all my other friends who visit here), today is the day!
Some of you will remember previous references to this practice:
https.//www.nancyaruegg.com/2024/10/7/a-quiet-time-notebook/
Below you’ll find the rationale behind keeping such a box and suggestions for preparing one.
Why a prayer box?
Some people keep a prayer list; I transitioned to a box of 3 x 5s more than twenty-five years ago. The reasons include:
- More room to write, as needs change or progressive answers unfold.
For example, an undiagnosed illness might be followed by eventual determination of the problem, then improvement, and finally healing. It’s encouraging to see God at work through the process, as well as in the final outcome.
- Cards can easily be organized. For example, if the child of parents I already pray for suddenly needs prayer himself, I can slip a new card for him behind the parents’ card and pray for the family together.
- Viewing one card at a time improves my focus. Staring at a long list can be overwhelming.
- Prayer cards contribute freshness to prayer time as I rotate through the cards, concentrating attention on just ten to twelve per day.
How to Start a Prayer Box
Find a box to accommodate the cards you choose to use. (You may wish to use decorated cards, for added beauty to your prayer experience. Many options are available online.)
You can use the box as is, cover the lid in wrapping paper, or decorate another way. Make it a pleasure to pull off the shelf.
For each card, you’ll want to include the name of the person(s) or ministry at the top, with the date you’re starting to pray for them.
Names concealed to protect privacy.
If there’s a specific need, write a short summary statement. Include the date if it’s different than the one recorded at the top of the card.
We can also pray for: the health of their spirit, their strength of faith, a life of integrity, daily awareness of God’s love in palpable ways, rest in his shalom, and a wide ripple effect from their life.
Let’s not forget Linda’s helpful verbs either.
When possible, include a scripture that relates to the request.
The best praying man is the man who is most believingly familiar with the promises of God. After all, prayer is nothing but taking God’s promises to Him and saying to Him, ‘Do as You have said.’
–Charles Spurgeon, from The Secret of Power in Prayer
Record evidence of progress; praise God for his involvement.
Include request-cards for yourself—especially those concerns that impact your relationship with God and with others.
You may wish to intersperse cards of inspiration as well.
Record the answers as they come. Enjoy the delight of citing evidence of God’s attentiveness, creative solutions, miracle-working power, and more.
Of course, sometimes the answer isn’t what I asked for. But I record those too, knowing that everything God does somehow serves divine purpose.
When God says “Yes,” he increases our joy. When God says, “Wait,” he increases our patience. And when God says “No,” he increases our trust in his higher ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Keep the cards of answered prayers in a separate place as proof of God’s involvement. Boost your confidence in God and the power of prayer as the stack grows (Isaiah 25:1).
And remember:
A praying saint performs far more havoc among the unseen forces of darkness than we have the slightest notion of.
—Oswald Chambers, Biblical Psychology, 1912.
Perhaps a faithfully-used prayer box will help create more havoc!
Image credits: Nancy Ruegg; www. commons. wikimedia.org (2); Nancy Ruegg (8).
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