Have you ever met someone and thought, “I could tell her/him my problem”? I am that person for many people. It may have to do with the fact that whenever I take a Meyers-Briggs I am all Extrovert. Or maybe people know I care. However, in the course of most these conversations, there is rarely anything I can do or say that would be helpful. So I listen, which is often all that is needed. And then I offer to pray for the person or situation. After some time it became difficult to keep the names in my head. But then I came up with a solution that helps me and gives witness at the same time!
We have a prayer board in our house. It is very simple; an old picture frame with a piece of fabric behind the glass and a dry erase marker to write people’s names on it. I also put Padre Pio’s phrase, “Pray, Hope and Don’t Worry” on it with stickers. When people are in need of prayer, we put their name on the board. When we have friends over to the house, they often add names to it as well.
It is a very simple thing but it speaks volumes and hopefully encourages others to pray. It is a quiet witness to the power of prayer and community.
How do you remember to pray for people?
Copyright © 2015,Deanna Bartalini
Deanna Bartalini
Deanna G. Bartalini, is a Catholic writer, speaker, and educator. She serves on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Spiritual Center. Deanna loves teaching about Catholicism and how it fits into our daily lives. She writes at DeannaBartalini.com, serves as the editor of the NewEvangelizers.com blog, and is a contributor there as well as at AmazingCatechists.com. Deanna contributed to A Catholic Mom's Prayer Companion published by Ave Maris Press. She is the author of “Invite the Holy Spirit into Your Life: Growing in Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control” published by Our Sunday Visitor. Deanna is available to lead retreats and speak at catechist and ministry events.
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