In prayer, it is easy for me to get distracted. There are so many things to do in a day, and I never think of any of them until I am conversing with my Maker. Further, when I do talk to God, I am far more likely to inundate God with a “To Do” list than to give thanks.
That is why the discovery of prayer tools was such a gift for me. My mind needs focus, and prayer tools help. Some people prefer lists or journals, others using Scripture as a prayer tool, still others walk the labyrinth. Those are all good and beneficial practices, but right now my favorite prayer tool is prayer beads.
Prayer beads can be used in many ways and for many different types of prayer. But one of my favorites is to use each of the beads to give thanks to God. There are usually 33 beads. No matter what I am feeling when I start, by the time I am finished thinking of 33 reasons to be thankful to God, I am inevitably feeling more thankful.
This message is excerpted from “Spiritual disciplines for giving thanks” by Michelle Terry in the October 2015 Café online magazine.
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