Mary Weber - Prayer Cues
So far in my travels around the Synod I have found several things that hold us together as women of
faith. To me one of the most important is prayer. No matter our age, our physical condition, or our
walk in life—we can pray. Using a cue to remind me to pray has impacted my prayer life in a
positive way, and I hope that you will consider trying it out yourself.
In the 1970’s I attended a Bible study class in our church in Mesa, Arizona. One of the class
members, a local pediatrician, mentioned that every time he heard a siren he prayed for the patient
and for the medical staff providing the care. I was impressed that a doctor would admit that he
turned to God in that way.
The Scriptures admonish us to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17.) My prayers, though
heartfelt, were infrequent, certainly not continuous. Perhaps the use of a cue, like my doctor friend
used a siren, could help my prayer life. But, like good intentions to improve my diet, I let the idea
languish.
It is only in recent years that I have tried to put this principle into practice. When I was teaching, I
was impressed with “Lessons from the Geese” and used them as rules for my classroom. When a
family member experienced some work related trouble, I looked up and saw geese flying overhead. I
began to pray every time I saw geese flying in formation. God gives many messages through geese—
to take turns leading so that we can benefit from the efforts of others, to get ourselves back in line,
to take care of each other when we are hurt, and to be sure that our honking is for encouragement.
Continuing to pray whenever I saw geese, I gradually realized that every bird I saw was cueing me to
pray. A single bird making its way through the air provided personal messages of God’s love and
care for me. Or it might help me to pray for those who are lonely or who don’t belong. Groups of
birds reminded me of others and prompted me to pray for the corporate body.
As I had hoped, my prayer life had become enriched. This is not the only time I pray, but it adds to
the frequency and meaningfulness of my prayers. I have been surprised at the infinite variety of
messages that God sends to me through my observation of birds.
If you want to try this for yourself, let your prayer cue find you. It may be something that you
experience every day—the buzzing of the clothes dryer, the ring of the telephone, a red light in
traffic. One woman prays each time she turns on a light switch. With our Synod interest in Living
Waters for the World, you might want to pray each time you turn on the water tap or drink a glass of
water. Whatever you choose, I hope you find that your prayer life becomes enriched as mine has.
For when we pray, we are fulfilling one of the purposes of Presbyterian Women.
faith. To me one of the most important is prayer. No matter our age, our physical condition, or our
walk in life—we can pray. Using a cue to remind me to pray has impacted my prayer life in a
positive way, and I hope that you will consider trying it out yourself.
In the 1970’s I attended a Bible study class in our church in Mesa, Arizona. One of the class
members, a local pediatrician, mentioned that every time he heard a siren he prayed for the patient
and for the medical staff providing the care. I was impressed that a doctor would admit that he
turned to God in that way.
The Scriptures admonish us to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17.) My prayers, though
heartfelt, were infrequent, certainly not continuous. Perhaps the use of a cue, like my doctor friend
used a siren, could help my prayer life. But, like good intentions to improve my diet, I let the idea
languish.
It is only in recent years that I have tried to put this principle into practice. When I was teaching, I
was impressed with “Lessons from the Geese” and used them as rules for my classroom. When a
family member experienced some work related trouble, I looked up and saw geese flying overhead. I
began to pray every time I saw geese flying in formation. God gives many messages through geese—
to take turns leading so that we can benefit from the efforts of others, to get ourselves back in line,
to take care of each other when we are hurt, and to be sure that our honking is for encouragement.
Continuing to pray whenever I saw geese, I gradually realized that every bird I saw was cueing me to
pray. A single bird making its way through the air provided personal messages of God’s love and
care for me. Or it might help me to pray for those who are lonely or who don’t belong. Groups of
birds reminded me of others and prompted me to pray for the corporate body.
As I had hoped, my prayer life had become enriched. This is not the only time I pray, but it adds to
the frequency and meaningfulness of my prayers. I have been surprised at the infinite variety of
messages that God sends to me through my observation of birds.
If you want to try this for yourself, let your prayer cue find you. It may be something that you
experience every day—the buzzing of the clothes dryer, the ring of the telephone, a red light in
traffic. One woman prays each time she turns on a light switch. With our Synod interest in Living
Waters for the World, you might want to pray each time you turn on the water tap or drink a glass of
water. Whatever you choose, I hope you find that your prayer life becomes enriched as mine has.
For when we pray, we are fulfilling one of the purposes of Presbyterian Women.
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