Praying with Five Fingers

Here's an easy way to pray unselfishly.

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. Pray for your spouse, children, parents, siblings, and rest of your loved ones.

2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those people and things you point fingers at; people you have a grudge against, things you don't like or agree with, everything that you consider as reasons for your pain and sufferings. 

3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our political leaders and the Church. Pray for leaders in politics, business and industry. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. The Church also needs our prayers to point us in the right direction and also to keep itself in line with its mission on earth. 

4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. This is our weakest finger. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. Pray for those who are less fortunate than you, pray for the orphans, children who are abused and used as sexual objects, pray for the unborn facing abortion, pray for those who struggle with addictions.

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. 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.