Prayer: A Reminder to Remember

Can you believe we’re just days away from the end of 2015? As the holiday season ramps up and comes to a close, people are prone to reflect on the past. It’s helpful to look back to prepare for the future. New Years affords us with a clean slate of sorts. Our calendar isn’t packed full yet. The binding of our journal isn’t broken in. And, our highest aspirations are still in front of us.

Same Story, Different Year

With the dawning of a new day, our best intentions show up in every category of life. We’ll get to the gym more. We’ll eat right. We’ll connect with families and friends deeply. We’ll step up to serve and share our faith. We’ll get better at saying yes to the right things and no to the wrong things. We’ll tithe, save, and balance the budget. And, of course, we’ll keep up on our Bible reading plan. We tell ourselves that we’ll manage all of this, including keeping our priorities in check and carving out time for ourselves. Under our breath, we whisper with confidence what we hope to be true: “2016 will be different. I’m sure of it.”

But then, seemingly without warning, another year passes us by. When we finally remember to remember, we take inventory, cut our losses, and gear up again. Your headline and mine reads: “Same story, different year, for [Insert Name Here].”

You have the incredible privilege of following Christ day in and day out. You’re a church or children’s ministry leader on disciple-making mission. The commitments you make and the challenges you press through in life all have potential to end with big celebrations. But, you can’t let yourself get sidetracked or give up without a fight. The eternal stakes are too high to not be at 100%. Yes, the ministry results are ultimately up to the Lord, but that doesn’t mean you don’t expend effort to join Him in His work.

FACT: We all need a reminder to remember in order to follow through in favor of God’s greater purposes. Prayer, as simple as it seems, can serve as that reminder.

What would you write to your dearest friends if you were stuck in jail? Read what Paul wrote to the Philippians (and to us) below.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

The Apostle Paul clearly understood and relied on the power of prayer. In his conversations with God, this leader regularly expressed gratitude for the people in his life and ministry. Paul joyfully recalled serving the Lord and living out the gospel together. He also recognized the significance of prayer to address concerns and challenges weighing on his heart. It’s likely that he also needed to let go of the heavy memories that came with hard ministry. When Paul’s mind was racing, he would race toward the heavenly Father to receive much needed rest for his soul. It’s truly inexplicable how prayer works, but it always does. Prayer empowered Paul to realign with God on multiple levels, to stay on track with the Lord’s ways and purposes.

How can prayer serve as a reminder to remember for you in children’s ministry?

Here are some ideas to help get you started:

• Pray Before Tossing Last Week’s Attendance Sheet: Most children’s ministries keep a record of which leaders served and which kids/families attended. Without them it can be hard to remember who was present and what happened. Use last week’s rosters from your children’s ministry to pray for child and adult by name. Thank God for them, ask Him to bless and guide them, and share any concerns you have for them with the Lord.

• Pray Backwards Through the Calendar Year: Take your current calendar and pray through past events and appointments. Think back on whom you met with and what you talked about. Reflect on turning points during the year, including both high points and low ones. How were you impacted by unexpected experiences? What healing could take place in your heart by bringing these situations before God’s throne again? Prayer, when coupled with your calendar backlog, can serve as a fantastic memory aide.

• Pray Slowly as You Go Slower: Church and children’s ministry leaders are notoriously “on the go,” rushing from one thing to the next. Be mindful of where you’ve just come from, where you are presently, and where you’re going next. As you drive or walk from place to place, literally stop to smell the roses (or whatever things grow in your neck of the woods!). Take time to speak with the Lord about how you’re doing in the middle of life and ministry’s hustle and bustle. Allow yourself time to be reminded of significant experiences and personal encounters you’ve had in the places you go from day to day. Carve out space to remember everything from to-do lists to dreams you have for yourself, your family and friends, and the ministry you lead. Be encouraged, comforted, moved, and challenged as you communicate with God who loves you and called you according to His great purpose.

In many ways, prayer is something we do, but it is also something that happens to us. The Lord can use prayer to remind us to remember if we decide to take the bold step to pray. You and I can’t expect anything different out of life in the future if we ignore the power of prayer in our mind and hearts today. Let the foundational practice of prayer help you reflect and remember so that you can realign around who God is and what He has for you and your ministry in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.

You’ll be amazed by what prayer reminds you to remember and the results that follow.