The Five Finger Prayer1. Your thumb is nearest you. So 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 once said, a "sweet duty."
2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach,
instruct
and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need
support and
wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your
prayers.
3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our
leaders. Pray for
the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators.
These
people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's
guidance.
4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the
fact that
this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It
should remind
us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need
your prayers
day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.
5. And lastly comes our little finger.The smallest finger of
all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and
others. As
the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your
pinkie should
remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the
other four
groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you
will be able
to pray for yourself more effectively
Fill My Cup Lord- by Emilie Barnes
I offer you my cup of
stress that you may fill it with quietness.
I offer you my cup of criticism that you may fill it
with encouragement.
I offer you my cup of resentment that you may fill
it with forgiveness.
I offer you my cup of fear and worry and control
that you may fill it with trust.
I offer you my cup of loneliness and selfishness
that you may give me your cup of communion.
I offer you my cracked and crumbling cup that you
may remold me and make me strong.
I offer you my cup of pain, the cup you know too
well.
Fill my cup with thanksgiving and hope that someday
my cup of tears will be filled with joy.
I surrender my cup to you that you may fill it with
service and the sweetness of your presence.
I offer my cup of me that it may be filled to overflowing with
you.
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The Lord is my Mother,
I want for nothing.
She lays me down at night
She takes my hand by day
as we stroll by the sea.
She makes me feel good about myself.
She guides me
in the right direction
For her name's sake.
Sometimes I must walk through lonely
alleys
but You're with me, Mom.
Your wit and Your compassion,
they encourage me.
You prepare me a strengthening meal
in front of those who would make fun of me.
You bathe me in Your perfumed oil,
Your love spills over me.
I expect good and even great things
to happen to me.
And I will be at home
in the Lord's house forever.
---Ramona C. Carroll
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Woman's Creed
I believe in God who created woman and man in God's own image
who created the world and gave both sexes the care of the earth.
I believe in Jesus, child of God, chosen of God
born of the woman Mary who listed to women and liked them
who stayed in their homes, who discussed the Kingdom with them
who was followed and financed by women disciples.
I believe in Jesus who discussed theology with a woman
at a well & first confided in her his messiahship who
motivated her to go and tell her the great news to the city.