Little Prayers

I love listening to a variety of music while studying. Recently, I was listening to one of my favorite CDs (The Best Of Burt Bacharach) when Dionne Warwick began singing, “I Say A Little Prayer For You.” You remember the lyrics, don’t you?

The moment I wake up
Before I put on my makeup
I say a little prayer for you
While combing my hair, now
And wondering which dress to wear, now
I say a little prayer for you

I run for the bus, dear
While riding I think of us, dear
I say a little prayer for you
At work I just take time
And all through my coffee break-time
I say a little prayer for you

Little prayers are powerful, more powerful than we can imagine. I can’t count the times when my prayer consisted of just three words; “Help me Lord.” As we begin this new week, a week where grace will meet us at every turn, let’s pray some powerful little prayers. Need a few suggestions? Here are ten from a wonderful writer, Joanne Redmond:

1. Any time you pull out a credit card, ask God for discernment
in spending money.

2. If you want to communicate with God but feel like the right
words are not coming, listen to a song of praise and sing
or hum it to him.

3. As you put on your pajamas at night, ask God to help you
feel relaxed and content.

4. When calling someone on the phone, ask God to bless
him or her while you wait for an answer.

5. Before visiting your family of origin, ask God to help you
not fall into old behavior patterns or habits, but to practice
the maturity and growth you’ve experienced.

6. Talk to God aloud while driving alone in the car. Try telling
him how your day is going.

7. This may sound irreverent, but some days are so busy or
stressful that the only time we have to pray is when we are
in the restroom.

8. In your workplace, pray for someone as you pass his or her
office or desk.

9. At the doctor’s or dentist’s office, pray for those sitting around you.

10. When turning your car off, thank God for a safe journey.

See the significance of praying little prayers? Here is my little prayer for each of you today: “Lord, thank you for every person who reads these words. Let them know how loved they are and how glad I am that they are a part of my life. Help me not to take them for granted and, in some way, be ‘an instrument of peace’ in their lives.”

I love you. I felt strongly that I needed to tell you that today.

Listen