Pause for Prayer

An ambulance flies by, lights flashing, sirens blaring, and we think “hmm. . .what is happening?  Car accident?  Heart attack?”  A hearse drives by and we think “I wonder if there is a body in there?  Who does it belong to?  A father? A mother? A child?”

This is natural human curiosity.

Moving beyond this curiosity, my children and I have a routine or tradition of saying a quick prayer for whomever those vehicles are transporting and for their families.  It has become “just something we do” to the point that it is often my children that beat me to start the Sign of the Cross, and I’ve heard from friends that my children engaged in this spontaneous prayer when riding in their vehicles as well.

I try to teach my children to pray spontaneously, to stay connected to our Lord throughout the day.

This is an easier task when we are asking for things for ourselves.  “Lord, help me do well on this test.” or “Jesus, help me be nice to my brother.”  I find it to be more of a challenge when it is someone else, especially someone we don’t know.  I am always looking for ways to help my children (and myself) remember to lift our brothers and sisters up in prayer.

We never know who may need our prayers at that very moment.

I wish I could say I was more successful at this, but the examples above above have been a good start for us.  What other events or triggers prompt you to pray for others?  I’d love to hear from you!