What do you feel when you are stopped at a red light? Frustrated, anxious, stressed? What about thankful or joyful? Probably not, but would you believe I’ve found a way to make red lights an enjoyable part of the day?
What if your prayer prompt was the thing which frustrates you most?
What if your prayer prompt was the thing which frustrates you most?I decided to use red lights as an everyday prayer prompt. Every time I’m stopped at one, I say a quick prayer of thanksgiving. I’ve gotten the kids involved, too, so we each call out something for which we’re thankful.
Some days it’s a challenge to think of something, especially after we’ve hit a number of red lights in a row. Yet, there’s always something. It’s helped us move beyond the standard blessings (family, God, teachers, etc) and think more creatively. Like, thank you for red lights, so we can share our blessings.
Prayer changes our heart and our attitude.
I don’t get so frustrated at red lights anymore. Now they’re an opportunity to make a quick connection with God and thank Him for something from that moment. I love hearing my kids get into it, as well, and what they find to say. It’s cultivating a thankful heart in all of us and helps keep us in a more positive spirit throughout the day.
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How can you change your heart and attitude? What if you could take that thing which frustrates you the most and instead use it as a reminder to pray? Allow God to work through that frustration to soften your heart and brighten your outlook. What difference could this make in your life?
So, will you give daily prayer prompts a try?
Here are a few ideas to get you started…
Here are some ideas of prayer prompts you can try. Some may be your frustration points (like being stopped at a red light) and others may be things you love (like hugging your child). Either way, use something frequent and familiar as your prompt and see how God can begin to work in your heart as you incorporate prayer throughout your day.
See a fire truck or ambulance… pray for first responders and healing and strength for those they help
Stopped at a red light… tell God thank you for a blessing
Turn on a lamp or light a candle… ask God to reveal Himself more fully in your life
Hug your child… pray for God’s protection over your child
See a bench… pray for the homeless and those who may have little more than a bench to sleep upon
Look at a favorite tree… pray for a friend to grow in his or her relationship with God, to grow deeper roots of faith
Eat a favorite treat… pray for the hungry
Before you get out of your car at work… pray for your day
See a teacher or a boss who frustrates you… pray for all those who give of their time and talents to teach and guide you
What is your daily prayer prompt?
Share your ideas and experiences in the comments below. I’d love to hear other suggestions.
PRAY DEEP CHALLENGE:Â What part of your day gives you the most frustration? Red lights? Sitting in traffic? Turning off lights the kids left on? Think about how you can turn that into a prayer prompt. Try it and see how it improves your day.
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pkstew2 says
Kathryn, wow thank you for all these incredible prayer prompts – this is something I struggle with. Saw you linked up on Grace & Truth, have a great weekend, Kim Stewart
//www.kimstewartinspired.com
Kathryn says
Kim – thanks for stopping by! Hope these inspired you!
llicenogle says
Love this!!! I have a few of my own…I set a thanksgiving alarm for each day at 5:00, I also try to pray every time I’m in the shower for God to make me new…finally, I make my computer passwords mantra prayers – i.e. dontgetfrustrated! haha, computers frustrate the heck out of me!!
Kathryn says
LOVE these ideas! I also use my computer passwords as reminders (putting on my IT hat: just make sure you add in some letters, symbols, upper case to make those passwords hard to crack! And don’t share!) I used to have an app on my phone called ‘random reminders’ and I had several reminders to pray, to put down my phone/computer and focus on the kids, to be grateful for what I was doing at that moment, etc. These would go off at random times – and always seemed to hit at just the right moment. Lost the app in some upgrade, but it was great!
Gina Duke says
Kathryn, mine is Ecc 7:2, which says it is better to go to a house of mourning than feasting bc that is where we begin to think about others’ suffering and less of ourselves. I use this prompt when I pray as I transition from praise and repentance to my prayer list. I go to my house of mourning which is abused and neglected children – I feel called to intercede on their behalf. After spending some time in the house of mourning, my mind continues to be somberly serious over everything else on my list. Thanks for you great prompt ideas. I am going to incorporate some of them into my day. I am linked up with you at Fellowship Fridays.
Mary Geisen says
What a great idea! I think I will use daily prayer prompts in my classroom-silent of course because I am in a public school! Every time a student is talking-I will lift that student in prayer, every time a student struggles with learning I will pray for clarity in how I can better help the student and at the beginning of each day I will offer thanks for a new day and for the opportunity to teach. Thank you for getting me to think how I can better use my time as a prayer time for others.
Kathryn says
Mary, I love that idea! I keep trying to find a good prompt to bring prayer into my workplace, too. Need to find a way to turn my attitude around and find more of God there. I’m sure this will bless you and your students!
Denise says
Love this idea! My first prompt with be at the traffic light-haha! I will put some thought into some specific places or things that routinely prompt me to pray for others and give thanks. What a great way to turn our thoughts, warm our hearts, and be thankful for all His many blessings. ♥
Thanks for encouraging and inspiring Kahryn!
Denise
morningmotivatedmom says
Stop at a red light, thank God for a blessing. I like that!!
Shannon @ Of The Hearth says
Great ideas!
I think there are many prompts even just around the house. For example, I can thank God for providing us with food and shelter as I cook and clean. I can thank God for providing us with clothes while doing laundry. I need to do this!
Kathryn says
Love those ideas! Can you imagine being able to find something heart-fulfilling about dishes and laundry? How wonderful that would be! I need to try that too 🙂
Arabah Joy says
Yes, Wow! This is a great idea! I love it!! I’ll be featuring your post on this week’s Grace and Truth. Thanks for linking up 🙂
Kathryn says
Thanks, Arabah! Glad you liked these ideas – they’ve made a real difference for our family drive-time.