Prayer tips

While preparing for a talk on Prayer for the jr. high youth of our parish, I came across this little gem of a prayer tool. I found it in a book titled, " Lists to Live By" compiled by Alice Gray, Stevve Stephens, and John Van Diest. It's a great way to teach young people how to pray. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

THE FIVE FINGER PRAYER

1.
YOUR THUMB IS NEAREST TO YOU.
TO 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 SAID, A "SWEET DUTY."

2.
THE NEXT FINGER IS THE POINTING FINGER
PRAY FOR THOSE WHO HEAL, TEACH, AND INSTRUCT. THIS INCLUDES DOCTORS, TEACHERS, AND MINISTERS/PRIESTS. THEY NEED WISDOM IN POINTING OTHERS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

3.
THE NEXT FINGER IS THE TALLEST FINGER
IT REMINDS US OF OUR LEADERS. PRAY FOR THE PRESIDENT AND LEADERS IN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY. PRAY FOR THE POPE AND BISHOPS. THESE PEOPLE SHAPE OUR NATION AND CHURCH. THEY NEED GOD'S GUIDANCE

4.
THE FOURTH FINGER IS THE RING FINGER
THIS IS OUR WEAKEST FINGER. IT REMINDS US TO PRAY FOR THE WEAK, THOSE IN TROUBLE OR IN PAIN. YOU CANNOT PRAY ENOUGH FOR THEM.

5.
AND LAST COMES OUR LITTLE FINGER, THE SMALLEST FINGER OF ALL.
THAT IS WHERE WE SHOULD PLACE OURSELVES IN RELATION TO GOD AND OTHERS. THE BIBLE SAYS, "HE WHO IS LEAST AMONG YOU ALL....HE IS THE GREATEST" (LUKE 9:48). AFTER YOU'VE PRAYED FOR THE OTHER FOUR GROUPS, YOUR OWN NEEDS WILL BE PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE.

Author Unknown