Plan for: Thanksgiving | Advent | Christmas

Sermon Illustrations
  • Your Thumb Is Nearest To You. So Begin Your ...

    Contributed by Richard Wafford on Sep 9, 2006 (message contributor)

      (rate this sermon illustration)
     | 1,057 views

1. Your thumb is nearest to you. So begin your prayers by praying for

those closest to you. They are the easiest to ones to remember. To pray

for our loved ones is, as C.S. Lewis once said, a "sweet duty."

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach,

instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They

need support and wisdom for pointing others in the right direction.

Keep them in your prayers.

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders.

Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and

administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God’s guidance.

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact

that this is our weakest finger; as any piano teacher will testify. It

should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain.

They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.

5. And lastly comes our little finger, the smallest finger of all, which

is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, "The least shall be the greatest among you." Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.