Pope Francis' Five Finger Prayer

As many of you know, I have struggled with my prayer life.  If you read my last post, there are many different reasons I struggle.  I have shared this personal struggle with my staff, and I have challenged them to not allow our students to be in the same boat, as an adult, that I am.  It is easy to teach children the rote prayers, but one of my teachers shared with us Pope Francis' Five Finger Prayer and I must say, I love it!!!  Leave it up to my great staff, to come up with ways to be teachers of prayer instead of teaching a prayer.  I hope you like this.

POPE FRANCIS' FIVE FINGER PRAYER

Looking at the picture above, you will see the five fingers.  Below is what each finger represents and could be taught to a child, very quickly. 

     1.  The thumb... The thumb is the closest finger to you.  So start praying for those who are closest to you.  They are the persons easiest to remember.  To pray for our dear ones is a "sweet obligation."

     2.  The next finger is the index.  Pray for those who teach you, instruct you and heal you.  They need the support and wisdom to show direction to others.  Always keep them in your prayers.

     3.  The following finger is the tallest.  It reminds us of our leaders, the Presidents, Kings, Governors and those who have authority.  They need God's guidance.

     4.  The fourth finger is the ring finger.  Even though it may surprise you, it is the weakest finger.  It should remind us to pray for the weakest, the sick or those plagued by problems.  They need your prayers.

     5.  And finally we have our smallest finger.  The smallest of them all.  Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself.  When you are done praying for the other four groups, you will be able to see your own needs, but in proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.

What a terrific start to teach our children to be effective people of prayer.  While it is not necessarily putting us in a deep conversation with God, it is allowing us to move our children to the next step in an effective prayer life. Again, nothing wrong with teaching the rote prayers, it is a must, in my opinion.  But now it is time to move on!! 

May the Lord continue to bless Pope Francis with the wisdom to be our teacher...