What will you do with the Christmas cards you received from friends and family members? For years I enjoyed them, displayed them during the holidays, then threw them away.
But not any longer.
Several years ago, my husband and I decided to use them as prayer prompts. We piled them into a basket, and, beginning on January 1, pulled out one card each morning at breakfast. (You could do this at family dinner if mornings are too chaotic.)
We reread the card, then pray for the sender.
I follow up our prayer with a text to let the loved one know that we prayed for them that day. Oftentimes, I’ll tell them specifically what we prayed. If I don’t have their phone number, I reach out to them on social media.
One friend told me recently, “We only mailed out a few Christmas cards this year, but yours was one of them, because we know y’all will pray for us.”
I love it.
Often we pray the prayer of Colossians 1:
And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Colossians 1:9-12
If we know something specific to their life, we pray about that, too. Do they need healing, peace in their home or a relationship, strength to persevere through a difficult season? We ask the Holy Spirit to guide us, and pray as He leads.
What if you didn’t receive many Christmas cards? Do you have a church directory? Pray your way through that. What about your social media Friend lists? Or make a list of friends and family members and pray your way through the list. (Remember to text or email to let them know you’ve prayed for them.) Their responses will show you what a blessing it is to know that someone is calling their name before God’s throne.
We’ll never know the impact of our prayers in our friends’ and loved ones’ lives, but eternity will reveal it. For my husband and me, it’s another way to love on our friends and family and pray God’s love, care, and blessings into their lives.
“ Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Are You Reading Through the Bible this Year?
I recently read an article by John Piper about how he tenders his heart for Bible reading by reading a devotional. He said, “One of the ways that I seek to have my heart prepared for Scripture is to sometimes spend fifteen or twenty minutes reading a book by someone who I have learned over the years has seen more glory in the Scriptures than I have, and they’re very good at showing it to me. Their sight and their experience prepare me for my sight and my experience. Their taste prepares me for my taste.”If you plan to read the Bible through this year, I’d love to journey with you. In partnership with Our Daily Bread, I’ve written two “read-though-the-Bible” devotionals, Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible and A Word for Your Day: 66 Devotions to Refresh Your Mind. Both are available at Amazon, ChristianBook.com, and wherever fine books are sold.
Refresh Your Faith: Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible
It’s probably been too long since you’ve newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a Bible verse that pops with truth. But that’s about to change!
Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.
A Word for Your Day: 66 Devotions to Refresh Your Mind
This 66-day devotional highlights one relevant, sometimes unexpected, word from each book of the Bible. Lori Hatcher, the best-selling author of Refresh Your Faith and Refresh Your Prayers, shares simple—but never simplistic—truths. She continues to remind us that every part of Scripture is active, alive, and applicable. From beginning in Genesis to new in Revelation, ponder each significant word as you move through your day and allow God to transform your heart and mind.
Have you subscribed to Refresh?
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