A Good Place to Keep Your Prayers? In a Jar!

Guideposts Blog ^ | October, 2022 | Bob Hostleter

[Diana in Wisconsin]

There are a thousand ways to pray—at least. Some people kneel at their bedside to pray; some pray as they walk. Others pray with beads. Some even pray by texting on their cellphones.

One more way to pray is with a “prayer jar.” And it can be especially meaningful during a significant season such as Advent.

Any jar can be turned into a prayer jar. A mason jar, for example, or an old coffee canister. Some people decorate their prayer jar, an exercise that can itself be turned into an act of prayer. But whatever you use, there are numerous ways a prayer jar can encourage and enliven prayer for you. Let me suggest one way that can make the coming month a special blessing.

Once you’ve chosen a jar, gather the paper or card stock on which you’ll write your prayers. You might cut one-inch-by-six-inch strips of paper or use 3x5 note cards. The blank backs of business cards also work well.

Place the jar in a prominent place, where you’ll see it often (such as a kitchen table or bedroom nightstand). Keep the writing items next to it (or in a separate jar) so you can add prayers at any time.

Once that’s done, you’re ready to pray. When a hurting family member comes to mind, jot her name down on the paper or card, perhaps add a few words of entreaty (such as “help her, she’s so lonely”), and place it in the jar. When a friend calls with news of a health problem, add him to the jar. When you’re tempted to worry about a financial matter, write it down and place your request in the jar.

You might also add blessings and praises to the prayer jar as the days go by: a “thank you, God” for an unusually tasty meal or a visit from a niece or nephew or a simple expression of happiness (“my new glasses are in!”).

After you’ve filled your prayer jar with requests and praises, it can be a wonderful celebration to empty it, reviewing and recalling all that God has done in answer to your prayers. You might make that review time a Christmas Eve (or day-after-Christmas) exercise or incorporate it into your New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day celebration. You might even find it so fun and helpful that you continue to use it—and maybe expand on it—in the coming year.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

In 2010 my life hit the skids. I was divorcing my addict husband, my step-son was in re-hab and my nephew (who I helped raise) overdosed. I was in Al-Anon AND professional therapy to help me deal with it all. Life was NOT very rosy. :( That New Year's Eve, I started a 'Gratitude Jar' to see if there was ANYTHING in my life worth being 'grateful' for, and by gum, THERE STILL WAS! So, if 2021 was a 'cr@ptastic' year for you (BEYOND the trials we're facing with Covid and Government over-reach, of course!) then give either a 'Gratitude Jar' or a 'Prayer Jar' a try. I think you'll be AMAZED at two things: How much you have to be grateful for in an ordinary life and how often your prayers, and those for others, ARE answered - when you actually ASK!

I also followed this advice for pulling myself out of the whirlpool: Ask. Believe. Take Action. Receive.

God Bless You, my FRiends! Happy New Year!

[sauropod]

Diana,

Thank you for this. I have heard of prayer jars. Will implement.

God Bless! ‘Pod.

[Reddy]

I recently started making prayer cards- simply putting prayer requests from family and friends onto 3x5 index cards. I use colored pens to make it fun.

I literally was just going through the cards before I clicked on this post. I had put the “answered prayer” cards in the back of the pile. It’s wonderful and encouraging to go through them and see what God has done. Many are marked “healed” from illnesses and “NED (no evidence of disease) for cancer patients, and “healthy” for expected babies!

Thanks for posting this idea for others to think about doing :)

[Sacajaweau]

Mom had a prayer box. She died clutching her rosary.

[NEMDF]

Thank you for this idea, and for sharing your story. So glad your world has improved since 2010!

I (used to?) keep an imaginary “box” on my left shoulder. I would pretend it was there, just about the size of a small shoe box, but more like a pirate chest or treasure chest. And I would put my worries into it. Then I had them right there, to take out and examine, when I wanted to, but when they were in the box, I could have a little peace. For some reason, this helped me a great deal over some very challenging times.

Happy New Year, to you, too!

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Great story. Thank you for sharing.