Let’s pray…
“Let’s pray…” How many times have you heard someone say, “Let’s pray…”? Perhaps you think of the times at Mass when the Priest calls the congregation together to unite by saying, “Let us pray”. Perhaps you think of the times while having coffee or dinner with a friend where you were sharing struggles and blessings and then your friend turned to you and said, “Let’s pray…”. Or perhaps you think of the times when saying grace before a meal, and then heard one inviting all present, “Let’s pray…”. Or perhaps you think of the times you have been at the bedside of one who is sick or dying when someone said, “Let’s pray…”. Perhaps you have never heard, “Let’s pray…” or if you did, felt uncomfortable.
All experiences of prayer, big or small, are delightful to God. He loves to hear our thoughts, our words, our intentions. He loves to hear us pray in one-on-one conversations with Him as well as when we gather to pray as a group. He just loves us! He loves you! He really does! Even if you feel you have never prayed, God still hears your quiet voice in the recesses of your heart. He knows you and wants you to have a relationship with Him - A personal relationship with Him. He wants to talk with you every day and every night.
Life gets so busy, doesn’t it? It is often so easy to forget to pray. LetsPrayByKarenmarie, the Etsy Shop representing Let’s pray…, offers simple Prayerful Prayer Prompts and reminders to pray throughout your busy day or night. Being a visual person, when I see something that reminds me of something I was supposed to do, I am grateful. Thinking you may need reminders as well, LetsPrayByKarenmarie inspired me to want to inspire you.
Whether the simple Prayerful Prayer Prompts offered be on a coffee mug or a car magnet, LetsPrayByKarenmarie creates visual opportunities for you to remember to talk with God. And to listen. Remember, God is not silent!
May these Prayerful Prayer Prompts be helpful and lead you into a deeper personal relationship with the Holy Trinity.
“Let’s pray…”
Why clouds?
Why do clouds draw us to pray? Why did I choose a cloud as the “Let’s pray…” logo for the Etsy Shop, LetsPrayByKarenmarie? First, they are beautiful, true, and good. They are lovely to look at. Additionally, I have heard it said that the Bible contains at least 107-137 references to the word cloud, depending on the Bible translation you use. Clouds are mentioned in the story of the rainbow with Noah, “When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds.” Genesis 9:14; the clouds in the story of Exodus, “The Lord preceded them, in the daytime by means of a column of cloud to show them the way, and at night by means of a column of fire to give them light. Thus, they could travel both day and night.” Exodus 13:21 ; and the voice of God saying He is well pleased with His Son, Jesus at the Transfiguration, “While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Matthew 17:5. These cloud references give clear direction of God’s presence and clear direction of a future sign that God’s return will be on a cloud of glory, “And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Luke 21:27. Clouds, also, refer to the Holy Saints as, “A Cloud of Witnesses,” “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us.” Hebrews 12:1. God uses clouds to speak to us!
What do you see when you look at a cloud? Have you seen animal shapes or Angels or notice that a storm is coming? Have you noticed beautiful and delightful colors at sunrise or sunset or seen mountains clothed in clouds? Do clouds prompt you to pray more? Do they remind you of God’s glory?
What about the days that there is not a cloud in the sky? For many people, a cloudless sky can be peaceful and blissful. For others, it reminds them of the cloudless sky that framed the tragedy of September 11. What about the clouds of gray overcast skies? How could these clouds prompt you to pray?
Scientifically, there are three categories of clouds: cumulus, stratus, and cirrus. This trinity can prompt an allegorical reflection of the Three Persons of the Holy Trinity. When looking at clouds you may observe the three categories of clouds that are all different but still considered clouds. Comparably (remember this is just an example to use as a Prayerful Prayer Prompt) the Three Persons in the Holy Trinity are different, yet they are all God. Saint Patrick used the three-leaf clover to illustrate this same mystery. Additionally, the “Let’s pray…” logo, followed by three dots, represents Our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
Clouds are wonderful Prayerful Prayer Prompts! They are full of possibilities to explore in prayer time. Please take the time to raise your eyes, spirit, and prayers up to the Heavens. Every day, no matter if there are sunny skies or an endless blanket of gray, the sky is there to inspire you to have another conversation with God. If by chance you have the time to relax on a peaceful, grassy hill and gaze upward, embrace it and say to God, “Let’s pray…”!
