The Five Finger Prayer
Luke 11:5-12 and Luke 18:1-5
Our responsibility is to ask. Be assured, God listens.
As you love to hear from your loved ones, God loves to hear from us.
Prayer - an ongoing dialogue with God.
Scripture: We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. Colossians 1: 3
Do you ever have trouble thinking of something to say when you are talking to a friend? I do. I have a friend that I swim with 3 days a week and sometimes we go for a long time without either of us saying anything. We just can’t think of anything to say.
Sometimes that same thing happens when I am praying. I start to pray and then I just can’t think of anything to say. Does that ever happen to you? Well, today, I want to share something that will help you when that happens. It is called the “Five Finger Prayer.”
First, I want you to put your hands together in front of you as if you are praying. Keep your eyes open so that you can see your hands. You will notice that the closest finger to you is the thumb.
Thumb - Pray for those closest to you such as your spouse, children, siblings, family, friends and co-workers. They are the easiest to remember.
Pointing Finger/ Index finger – Let this finger remind you to pray for those that point you in the right direction. Pray for those who instruct, heal and minister such as teachers, health care professionals, pastors and church workers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction.
Middle/Highest Finger - The next finger is the tallest finger. This finger reminds us to pray for our leaders. Pray for the president, police and fire departments, business, military personnel, local, state and federal governments and those who are leaders in our town including the judiciary. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion.
Fourth/Weakest Finger - Did you know that this is the weakest of all the fingers? Just ask any one who plays the piano and they will tell you that is true. Let this finger remind you to pray for those who are sick. Pray for those sick and in need, locally, nationally and internationally including the persecuted church and those who have suffered natural and man-made disasters.
Fifth/Smallest Finger - The Bible says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” Let the little finger 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. You will be able to pray for yourself more effectively. As the Bible says, “The least shall be the greatest among you.”
So the next time you are talking to God, and you can’t think of anything to say, let the “Five Finger Prayer” help you.
Dear Lord, we thank you for prayer. It is good to have a friend to talk to, but even friends sometimes have trouble thinking of something to say. Help us to remember this Five Finger Prayer to remember those who need our prayers. Amen.
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Note: This sermon was sent to me. I do not claim authorship, and have tried to determine the origin of the sermon without success. It has been attributed to a nurse who used it to teach basic prayer to a patient who asked her how to pray. It was also reprinted in the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church publication Faith Steps, Vol.8, No. 3.
