Can you remember what we did at our first Family
Sunday School back in the beginning of the program year, way back in the month
of September? (I know September wasn't actually that long ago, but it feels
years away to me.) Back in September we focused on prayer, as a family and for
your children. How is that going? Do you still have your mealtime prayer sticks
out so that they can be used? Have you noticed your children praying without
prompting or reminding you to pray?
I'm asking how it is going not so that you can
report to me on how well it's going or how fast your family forgot about those
prayer activities but so that you can access how it is going for yourself.
Often, in my own life, I get really excited about
trying a new practice or exercise for a few weeks but then my enthusiasm fades.
Sometimes it's because the thing I was trying doesn't work well for me and
other times it is because I am not disciplined enough to stick with it.
Regardless of why I stop, I often try something similar later on because the
idea is still important to me. For example, I pray every morning when I wake up
but it has taken me a long time to find out what works for me so that I
actually do it every day, no matter what is going on, no matter how tired I am.
I tried picking a specific time to pray (that didn't work because some days I
sleep in), I tried finding a specific place in my apartment to pray (that
didn't work because sometimes I need to pray on the road), I tried many more
things but only one has really worked... I made a list that I have on paper and
on my computer of everyone that I want to pray for and why. The list helps me
to not forget anyone and also to help me stay focused on praying on the days I
am easily distracted.
With this in mind I would like to share a prayer
idea with you (see the picture at the bottom of this reflection). Making a
prayer photo book as a family can help all of the members of your family
remember who you want to pray for, who has asked for your prayers, or special
intentions that you want to pray for as a family. Pictures could range from
individual people to families, pets to causes. By creating a photo book, even
those who can't read can participate!
Whether or not your family has keep up the prayer
practices that you learned at Family Sunday School in September, I hope that
you will give this new practice a try.
Peace,
Lauren+
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