Newspaper Prayers
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series III, Cycle C
I was at a Bible study on prayer when the leader handed each of us a section of the newspaper. He was known for his humor and clever ways to get us to engage in conversation. I was intrigued. What did a newspaper have to do with prayer? I looked at the small photos of brides, smiling above their announcements.
"Okay," he said. "Circle all the names of people you see in just one half of a page." No big deal. I circled 24 names.
"Okay," he continued. "Now circle the names of any institutions you see." Well, the bank was listed, numerous churches were named, and a few other institutions. That didn't take too long. I circled sixteen.
"Now, let's see what else we could come up with. What else is in a newspaper? If we use the newspaper as a prayer guide, what else could we come up with?" There were excited answers. Our leader went to the chalkboard.
One woman had an article on a peace treaty. We could pray for peace and the leaders taking part, our leader said. One pastor mentioned his article was about homeless mothers and their quest for independence from the welfare system. We listed mothers, the homeless in general, and those who come in contact with them -- prospective employers and landlords. I shared the bridal section and we listed brides, their families, those traveling, and the church families who would witness this event. We could pray for harmony in their relationships.
My husband had the obituaries and one by one we wrote the names down. There was a hush over the room. It is a privileged opportunity to pray for those who are in mourning.
The chalkboard filled and then the side board was filled. We were only eleven that day, but we learned what an awesome opportunity God gives us in everyday things to invoke prayer. Our leader encouraged us to be open to prayer in all places, in all circumstances, and even in the unlikeliest places.
I like to read my newspaper in the morning. I also like to have my devotion time in the morning. Now it seems like a natural combination!
"Okay," he said. "Circle all the names of people you see in just one half of a page." No big deal. I circled 24 names.
"Okay," he continued. "Now circle the names of any institutions you see." Well, the bank was listed, numerous churches were named, and a few other institutions. That didn't take too long. I circled sixteen.
"Now, let's see what else we could come up with. What else is in a newspaper? If we use the newspaper as a prayer guide, what else could we come up with?" There were excited answers. Our leader went to the chalkboard.
One woman had an article on a peace treaty. We could pray for peace and the leaders taking part, our leader said. One pastor mentioned his article was about homeless mothers and their quest for independence from the welfare system. We listed mothers, the homeless in general, and those who come in contact with them -- prospective employers and landlords. I shared the bridal section and we listed brides, their families, those traveling, and the church families who would witness this event. We could pray for harmony in their relationships.
My husband had the obituaries and one by one we wrote the names down. There was a hush over the room. It is a privileged opportunity to pray for those who are in mourning.
The chalkboard filled and then the side board was filled. We were only eleven that day, but we learned what an awesome opportunity God gives us in everyday things to invoke prayer. Our leader encouraged us to be open to prayer in all places, in all circumstances, and even in the unlikeliest places.
I like to read my newspaper in the morning. I also like to have my devotion time in the morning. Now it seems like a natural combination!
