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1. Our thumb is nearest to us. So begin
your prayers by praying for those
closest to us. 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. We
might
also pray for those we point fingers at, especially those who sometimes hurt
us. They need our prayers very much, too.
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, our pastors, our Pope. These people shape our world and
guide public opinion. They need God's guidance very much.
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 our prayers day and night. We cannot pray too much for them.
5. And last of all comes our little
finger; the smallest finger of all,
which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and to others.
The pinky should remind us to pray for ourselves. By the time we have
prayed for the other four groups, our own needs will be put into proper
perspective and we will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.
And
sometimes, we don't even have to pray for ourselves. While we're busy
praying for others, God is already at work, taking care of our own needs!
"And the Lord blessed Job when he prayed for his
friends."
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Job 42:10
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