Mourning Into Dancing

I am thankful for a new friend this Thanksgiving. Cindy won my Fall Y’all Giveaway Personalized Prayer Basket, and we have gotten to know each other a little bit these last few weeks. Here is the COOLEST thing…unknown to either of us until a couple of weeks ago, she and I graduated from the same small college! Just a few years apart! It has been really awesome for me to get to know her through her blog (which is really wonderful) as well as find the personal connections. Thanks for blessing my month, Cindy! I hope you are blessed by your basket.

Here is a picture of Cindy’s basket:

It took me a little while to put together the basket because I wanted to spend some time on her Prayer Notebook. I looked for a scripture that she loves and then incorporated that on the cover. I often put a verse on the front of my Prayer Notebook that is something really fresh from the Lord in my life at the time. I love doing this.

Now, as promised, here is my Target Prayer Basket Shopping List.

1. Notebook for Prayer Notebook. (I get whatever looks easy to use. Most of the time I use a three-ring binder with the clear plastic cover so I can slip something in the front, but I’ve also used large spiral-bound notebooks and decorated the front with scrapbook paper and then covered it in clear contact paper. If you get a binder, you’ll need extra paper and tabs.)

2. A pretty basket.

3. A liner for the basket. (This may sound lame, but hey, I’m NOT Martha Stewart - sometimes I get a snazzy fabric napkin to line it.)

4. Index cards. (I usually write a verse on an index card while I’m reading my Bible when I have my time with God - whatever really speaks to me - then I can carry it with me that day or put it out where I can see it. Also, I write a to-do list on the back. This is not a comprehensive list for my day - they are things that I feel like God has spoken to me about and that I need to follow through with. Usually it says things like, “Apologize to Hugh” or “Spend time listening to my children”.)

5. Nice pens. (Because I have more fun writing out my prayers when I have good ink. Seriously. Why not splurge and go for the Pilot Pens!)

6. Pencil case. (Mead makes a nice soft one that stands upright, but any kind will do. I used to stick all my pens in a mug and stick it down in my basket.)

7. Kleenex. (When you sit down to pray, immediately you’ll have to get up to blow your nose. So instead of running to find tissue, keep some in your basket. Also, if you’re like me, when you cry before God, you’ll need something to wipe your face with!)

Other things that I put in basket that are not from Target:

1. My Bible.

2. 2-3 really good devotional books. I change these out a lot, depending on how I feel like God is using the books in my life. I usually read a chapter near the end of my prayer time. Right now I’m reading “Praying God’s Word” by Beth Moore and “The Mom Walk” by Sally Clarkson, but I’m sure I’ll have new books soon.

3. My IPod, loaded with worship music.

The key thing about my basket is that I have everything I need to spend time with God all together in one place. I don’t have to run around looking for things all over the house; it’s all right there. Also, it’s MY basket - a little space that I’ve created that is all about me and my relationship with Jesus. It is something that immediately helps me prepare myself to pray. To set aside everything else, focus, and just listen to His voice…to read His Word…to be filled fresh with His Holy Spirit…to cry, laugh, worship, and learn to be more like Jesus.

Lord, thank you for this day! I pray that you would call us all more deeply into your Holy Presence, regardless of the tools we use in prayer. I pray that you will give all of us more desire for Your Word and Your voice. We love you! In the name of Jesus, Amen.