Are you ready? I’m about to give you a challenge and I really hope you accept it. I can’t remember exactly when but at some point during one of my small group meetings in the past year we were given a challenge that I would like to pass on to you for Lent: every time that you send a text or an email, say a prayer for that person. This was quite difficult for me! I was raised Roman Catholic and for the longest time the only things I considered to be prayers were things that had been printed in a prayer book. Was I expected to say a whole rosary each time I texted someone‽ That was not going to happen! When I suggest you say a prayer each time you text or send an email, keep it simple. “God, please watch over this person” is a prayer. It’s short, sweet, and to the point. I don’t know about you but if I did this everyday I would be praying almost non-stop! What if we all did this? Wouldn’t those long, monotonous work emails begin to bring you joy knowing that the sender had prayed for you when they sent it? Wouldn’t that little text from your spouse reminding you to get milk on your way home feel a little less like a nag and a little more like a demonstration of love? I truly believe that these small acts which barely cost us anything can slowly but surely move ourselves and others closer to God. I can’t imagine a better use of 40 days.

Clare Stratmann