In 1 Timothy 2:1, the young leader of the church at Ephesus is urged first of all to pray and “that all supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life…”(NRSV).  Elsewhere in scripture we are urged to “pray without ceasing,” “to pray for the sick and the afflicted,” “to give thanks for all things,” “to pray in all ways.”  The author of the Gospel of Luke emphasizes the necessity of prayer in several parables.  Jesus modeled attention to his prayer life for us.

Recently, I introduced some youth and older adults to praying with bubbles.  Bubbles are wonderful, they make us smile as they dance and float in the air.  They also offer us another way to talk with God.   As you put the wand into the solution think about what or who you want to pray for, then offer that as prayer as you blow into the solution on the wand.  Watch the bubbles float skyward and as they burst think of them as prayers being released and received by God.  Smiling broadly, one grandmother recently remarked, “I am going to teach my granddaughter to pray with bubbles and I will pray along with her.”

Like many of you, oftentimes my Facebook feed is inundated with messages that read “like and share if:” you have the best grandchildren in the world; you have a mother/father that you love; you have a terrific daughter/son whom you are proud of, etc.   It has occurred to me that, while unintended, these messages could bring sadness or painful memories and longings to some.  Instead of liking and sharing the messages, I found myself beginning to offer prayers of thanksgiving for those who could like and share the sentiment expressed in the message and to offer intercessory prayers for those for whom the sentiment might be painful.

How wonderful it is that we can pray in all ways for all people, events and creation to an ever-listening God.