I see their faces as I write their names. Each one in my “inner circle.” The space God has placed souls. The one I married and promised the rest of my life to. The ones I birthed, the ones they vowed the rest of their lives to. The babies born to them. My parents, his mother, the siblings having special needs. The circle increases in diameter…

Morning prayer-time is sacred. I rarely miss it, but when I do, I really miss it. I wonder how it affected their day. Did they miss something because I missed praying for them?

A few years ago, I had a son-in-law deployed to Afghanistan. For this reason, I started journaling my prayers differently. Since a young adult, I have always journaled my prayers, but the reality of a loved one being placed in what is considered “real danger” drove me to make sure he was prayed for specifically every day. So I started writing each name, pausing to see their faces. Reminding God that these sweet ones were important to me and I needed Him for them. To watch over them and protect them, help them with whatever they faced that day.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6

There is a whole-wide world out there, I know, but these dear ones mean the whole-world to me. I am sure your circle means the same to you. Because they are so important to us, we can be consumed with worry when their lives are in danger or they are making bad decisions. We want to change their opinions or fix every mistake they have ever made. That is not our job, but praying for them is. Giving them to God is the first, very best thing we can do and trust Him to work things out for their good and His glory.

I keep a box of tissues handy because sometimes when I write those names tears come. Tears of joy, God is there to celebrate with, tears of grief, He is still there, and they are in the best Hands as I hand it all over to Him.

Sometimes I do not even know what to pray. Tim Keller writes in his book Prayer, Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God,

“The Spirit, even when you do not know how to pray, takes your core prayer and prays as you should be praying before the throne. (Romans 8:26) When you struggle in prayer, you can come before God with the confidence that he is going to give you what you would have asked for if you knew everything He knows. He does care, and He loves you boundlessly.”

Dear reader, pray for the whole-wide world, but please, never forget to specifically pray for your circle. Watch your love grow for them and know the peace of God that passes all understanding.