One year for Christmas, my friend Julie received something beautiful: a personalized, handwritten prayer over the coming year. Julie was so moved by the gesture that she began doing it for others.
After being on the receiving end of several of Julie’s thoughtful, encouraging prayers, I’ve started to incorporate the practice of written prayers into my own life. While there is power in the words we speak, there is also value in the words we write. Just like goals (or my ever-lengthening to-do list!), we’re more likely to follow through on something if we write it down.
After all, I’ve been guilty of promising to pray for someone, then forgetting to follow through. My good intentions are only as effective as the action that results. Even a one-sentence prayer texted to a friend can help keep me accountable and remind me to follow up later on.
In case you could use a little boost today, too, I’d love to offer a written prayer for you:
Jesus, thank you for the woman who is reading this post. May your hand be upon her calendar, her commitments, her loved ones, and her relationships. Smooth the rough edges of any worries she’s experiencing. Give her peace over stressful situations and wisdom to navigate bruised emotions. Bolster her with the courage to keep going on days when circumstances or life itself feels hard. Meet her where she’s at; give her your provision to meet every need. We love you, Lord. Encourage us as we try to live lives that point others back to you. Help us to be light and salt and mercy and grace. Amen.
Who can you send a prayer to today?
The Gift of Written Prayer
