Pope Francis and Young Life's Day of Prayer

There is nothing more necessary to the Christian life than prayer.  It is our lifeline to God, an ever-accessible means to commune with the Father.  Martin Luther King once said, “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”  Therese of Lisieux called prayer “a surge of the heart, a simple look turned toward heaven.”  So today, Young Life’s Day of Prayer, we turn our gaze toward heaven, allowing our lungs to fill with the Spirit of God and our hearts to surge on behalf of lost kids.

 On this Day of Prayer, I’d like to share with you a simple guide that has helped multitudes around the world to draw near to God and enter into meaningful prayer.  This guide was composed by Jorge Mario Bergoglio, now Pope Francis I, and reflects the beautiful simplicity of this man of God that both Catholics and non-Catholics have come to admire.  You only need the five fingers of your hand to remember this easy guide to prayer:

1. 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 governors and those who have authority. They need God’s guidance.

4. The fourth finger is the ring finger. Even that it may surprise you, it is our 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 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 the proper perspective, and also you will be able to pray for your own needs in a better way.

Allow this simple rule to guide your prayer today.  Share it with your friends.  Teach it to your kids.  Pass it along to your teenage friends to whom you minister.  We are one in prayer!