She Prayed With Her Hands

“I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,” (Philemon 1:4)

I once read a story of a nurse who had learned the importance of intercessory prayer. Since she used her hands as instruments of mercy and healing with those she was in charge of caring for, she also felt it was a natural thing to use them in her prayers for them as well.

When someone asked her how she prayed with her hands, she described it this way. Each finger represented someone she wanted to pray for.

  • Her thumb was nearest to her and reminded her to pray for those who were closest and dearest.
  • The index finger was used for pointing, so it stood for her instructors.
  • The third finger was the tallest and stood for those in leadership.
  • The fourth finger was the weakest, representing those in distress and pain.
  • The little finger, which was the smallest and least important, reminded the nurse to pray for her own needs.

Maybe she learned to have a desire to pray for others by following Paul’s example. He said in Philippians 1:4, “Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy.” Notice Paul said that he prayed for others “Always” and in “every prayer” of his. Wow! THAT is true intercessory prayer!

We need more intercessory prayer warriors, today. We need people who will not only intercede for the pastor and church family, we need people who will intercede for those who are still lost and on their way to Hell.

You don’t have to use your hands like this nurse. But however you pray, just pray!

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