Pray without ceasing (1Thessalonians 5:17). That’s a tall order, to be continually in prayer.
Setting aside a specific time for prayer is easier than living in an attitude of prayer. If your day starts with a time of devotion, it’s only natural to incorporate prayer into that ritual. But when busyness storms through my day, when anger flashes or when worry weighs heavy; that’s when I can go hours without thinking to pray. Charles Spurgeon said: “While your hands are busy with the world, let your hearts still talk with God.”
A few months ago my dad gave me something that’s helped me focus on prayer throughout the day.
A prayer bracelet.
I first saw my dad wearing one of these. He works near a monastery and the monks make these bracelets as a reminder to pray. I immediately fell in love with the idea of a physical reminder to pray throughout the day. I’ve been wearing mine almost every day since I found it tucked in an envelope in the mailbox.
Maybe it’s because I’m a visual person, but I’m amazed at how often I look down at that bracelet on my wrist and pause to whisper a prayer for someone or pause to give thanks. It reminds me of a line from old song by Keith Green:
“Make my life a prayer to you…”
There’s nothing special about the bracelet itself, but it’s a strong physical reminder that my desire is just that, for my life to be a prayer.
Is there something that helps you practice praying without ceasing?
(As always my friends, if you have a prayer need don’t hesitate to email me or leave it in a comment-xo)
***A very sweet reader found instructions for these online: HERE is a link!***
Julie Garmon says
February 20, 2013 at 8:40 amOh, Robin, it’s beautiful. A circle of unending never ceasing prayer.
I feel that way about the surrender bracelets we made at the ladies retreat.
Love you.
Robin says
February 20, 2013 at 9:57 amJulie, yes, unending, never ceasing prayer…love it. xo
Linda says
February 20, 2013 at 8:53 amWhere can i get one of these bracelets? Would like a few of them
Thank you.
Robin says
February 20, 2013 at 9:56 amLinda, I’ll check with my dad to see if he can ask the monks! Get back to you…xo
Beth Aga says
February 20, 2013 at 10:19 amI would love to know how to make these for my MOPS steering committee. I am a Mentor Mom and I would love to share this with them. If you know of a place to get instructions, please let us know!
Robin says
February 20, 2013 at 2:51 pmBeth, they would be perfect for a MOPS group! I’ll see about instructions xo
Tom says
February 20, 2013 at 10:46 amReally like this! Definitely let us know what the monks say and where we may be able to get one:)
Robin says
February 20, 2013 at 2:54 pmTom, It reminded me of you setting your phone to go off mid day! 🙂 I’ll let you know about the bracelets!
Pinky says
February 20, 2013 at 1:17 pmLOVE the idea of the bracelet!!! I am going to see if I can find one, I think there is a religious shop kinda near me. This is GREAT. Thank you. XOXO
Robin says
February 20, 2013 at 2:55 pmPinky, let me know if you find one!!! xo
Felicia says
February 20, 2013 at 1:20 pmI bought a sterling silver prayer bracelet before Christmas that has the word “pray” engraved on it and wear it almost every day. It is a great reminder to pray without ceasing.
Robin says
February 20, 2013 at 2:55 pmFelicia, I love it! xo
Vicky says
February 20, 2013 at 1:58 pmOh I instantly want one! I loved hearing the bells ring at the monastery- what an awesome reminder to stop and immerse yourself in prayer. I don’t always have a specified time or place and would love to be more intentional about it… thanks for helping me ponder how I might do this 🙂
Robin says
February 20, 2013 at 2:49 pmVicky, then we have to get you one! xoxo
jenn nahrstadt says
February 20, 2013 at 2:25 pmyep, make me the third person who wants one!! i’d take several also, if your dad could get a bunch for you to distribute.
any chance he could get you 2 and you could get them to me by wednesday next week?
Robin says
February 20, 2013 at 2:49 pmJenn, I’ll check but it might be longer than that! xo
Marty says
February 20, 2013 at 2:55 pmLove this idea and would also love to buy several of the prayer bracelets if they come available!! Thanks for this sweet post!
Robin says
February 21, 2013 at 7:39 amMarty, I’ll let you know asap! xo
Judith says
February 20, 2013 at 3:28 pmHi, Ladies,
Thank you Robin, for sharing. Here is the link with instructions on how to make it! You can use cord of any color! Enjoy!
It’s on http://www.jewelrymakingguide.com. It’s called the spiral hemp bracelet. If the link below doesn’t work.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.jewelrymakingguide.com/images/spiral-hemp-bracelet.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.jewelrymakingguide.com/spiral-hemp-bracelet-directions.html&usg=__VzjBKyYZa3GP7-dN9MJPntVeZC8=&h=199&w=200&sz=25&hl=en&start=61&zoom=1&tbnid=U5k6OgAo6HiA8M:&tbnh=103&tbnw=104&ei=JyMlUYnCJKjFigLSo4GoAQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcord%2Bknotted%2Bbracelet%2Bdirections%26start%3D60%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26rlz%3D1R2ADFA_en%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&sa=X&ved=0CCoQrQMwADg8
Robin says
February 21, 2013 at 7:38 amJudith, you are WONDERFUL!!!! Thank you thank you thank you!!! Send me a photo if you make one, it would be fun to post it here!!! xoxoxo
Elizabeth says
February 21, 2013 at 2:56 amYou’ve given me an idea to go on the hunt for beads to represent people or things to pray about and make my own prayer bracelet! Thanks, friend!
Robin says
February 21, 2013 at 7:37 amElizabeth I love that idea…I find myself touching those knots in my bracelet as I mention the names on my prayer list so I think different beads for each name would be perfect. love to youxo
Beth Aga says
February 26, 2013 at 10:06 amI wonder if they dyed the hemp or can you buy it that way? Thanks for the link! Fun!
Tabitha Blackwell says
March 13, 2013 at 2:12 pmHi Robin,
I was wondering if you still had any more prayer bracelets? I saw that you posted a picture on FB of where you are sending some out, is there any way I could get one? How much? 🙂
Thank, Tabitha
Robin says
March 13, 2013 at 6:42 pmTabitha, I’d be so happy to send you one. Brother Mark, the kind monk who makes them sent me several and says he can make me as many as I need. Just send me an email with your mailing address and I’ll get one to you! I wear a small, do you think a small or a medium would be good for you? There isn’t much difference in the size, but they don’t have a clasp and you have to be able to get them over your hand and onto your wrist! send me your mailing address by going to the Contact tab at the top of the page and you’ll find a contact form! xo
Debbie Smith says
April 3, 2013 at 9:04 pmDo you know if there are instructions anywhere to make these? I think they would be a wonderful craft for our church women’s retreat.
Robin says
April 4, 2013 at 6:00 amDebbie, yes! A sweet online friend of mine found the instructions and sent the link: http://www.jewelrymakingguide.com/spiral-hemp-bracelet-directions.html
Let me know if you make them and how they turn out! xo