“… we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”

– Colossians 1:9-12

I read those verses and want to be a better pray-er for people.

I cry out prayers to God when I need something or diligently pray for others when my life slows down enough for me to have the time.

But I want more.

I want prayer to be my default.

{Tweet that.}

I want prayer to be my default regardless of circumstances around me or the mood inside of me. I want prayer to be my default for my husband, my kids, my closest friends, the strangers I meet, and the people who make me want to run the other way. I want prayer to be the foundation of my decisions, my reactions, and my conversations.

So I organized my prayers into a box – not to trap them inside, but so I could remember to take them to God.

Inspired by an acquaintance’s Facebook post, I bought a stack of index cards, a box to store them, and dividers to organize them. I made categories that made sense for my own life – friends, family, school, adoption group, small group, new moms, writer friends, blog readers – and then started jotting down prayer requests, details of situations, and updates as they happen on cards.

I also created a section for answered prayers, where I’ll move cards to remember God’s faithfulness.

“‘…I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.’ Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples.”

– Psalm 77:11-14

God’s ways are not our ways.

There’s heartbreak and brokenness around us. People are waiting and hoping for what’s still to come. Sometimes relationships foster pain while others bring great joy. This world is filled with real people who have human emotions and reactions.

God can use it all for his good and our good. And sometimes covering it – whatever it is today – in prayer is all we can do. Perhaps, rather, covering it in prayer is what we get to do for each other.

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So, friend who so kindly gather on my virtual porch here, how can I pray for you? Share in the comments or send me an email, and I’ll add you to my box.

And, if you have a few minutes, please fill out this survey about you and my blog. I’m loving this community God has created here and want to get to know more about you. Plus you’re entered to win a $30 Amazon gift card when you complete the survey.

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