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My prayer basket

Donna Reidland

My prayer basket is tattered and worn, its woven parts protrude here and there, but I wouldn’t dream of replacing it. On cold winter mornings, it sits beside me as I curl up in a comfortable chair with a mug of steaming coffee and a blanket around my legs. Other days, it rests on the floor as I sit cross-legged. As the weather turns warmer, it goes outside with me to the patio.

The contents of my basket are simple. Most important is a well-marked and worn Bible – full of thoughts that come as I read the words and underline verses that bring peace or faith or inspiration. Next is my notebook – full of prayer needs and dates of requested and answered prayers. There is also my daily calendar; I often think of things I should do later in the day. Then there are pens and highlighters, and photos of my family that I may hold as I pray for each one. Finally, there is a box of blank note cards.

Some mornings, I start with Bible reading. My goal is to read some of the Old Testament, some of the New, at least one Psalm and a chapter of Proverbs. At least, that’s my goal. Other mornings, I start with prayer, checking my notebook so I don’t leave anything out. I don’t always make it all the way through my list. I may feel a need to spend more time praying for some specific need or family member that day.

I may squeeze in half an hour before I must get going with the day’s events or before someone else gets up. Other times, I only manage five minutes. On rare occasions, I may seize a whole hour.

There are times when I let the cares of this world and the business that we fill our lives with crowd out this time. Once I miss a couple of days, it’s easy to miss three or four, or a week or two. But then I see little problems crop up that shouldn’t have, and my days seem more hectic than usual. Then I know it’s time to get my priorities right.

The photos help me stay focused on the people God entrusts to me to pray for. The note cards come in handy when God places someone on my heart even if I don’t know why; when that’s the case, I may let them know that I remembered them in prayer.

I’m no giant of faith. I have doubts and missteps and days when, as my teenage son says, “You don’t seem to be smiling much today, Mom.” There are times I see my prayers answered almost before the words leave my lips, and times when I wonder if God is listening. I know that my days are smoother and my burdens lighter when I share them with the One who cares and hears and answers.

Donna Reidland is a freelance writer from El Paso, Tex.

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Last modified November 29, 2000.

© 2000 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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