Praying for the places you love
Ah, memories
There are a few places where the physical space can unlock key memories in our life.
In 2013, I had the opportunity to go to Israel & Jordan.
There were plenty of “physical spaces” to go to that held some sort of sacred significance.
And some of those sacred spaces were hotly contested, some with multiple locations all claiming to be “the exact spot where Jesus was born” or “the exact tomb where Jesus was buried.”
But, here’s the thing…
…the "exactness of those locations aren’t what make them holy sites.
It is the memories these spaces unlock, the meaning conveyed by the physical spaces.
So if you have had fond memories at Disneyland and you find yourself incredibly grateful for that space…then you shouldn’t feel weird or bad about praying for that space and for that memory.
For me, it’s Speedway, as weird as it sounds.
My dad loves to stop at Speedway for gas and snacks.
And buying $1 snacks with my dad is a core memory for me that makes me thankful for every Speedway I see…because it transports me to a moment in my memories.
So, yes, as we have discussed previously, you should be thankful and pray in gratitude for the things you love, the people you love, and even the places you love.
Because they have brought you to who you are now.
And who you are now is someone who is reading a daily newsletter about prayer trying to be more intentional with the growth of your spiritual life and your prayer life.
That’s a good person to be, that’s a good place to be in your spiritual journey.
My prayer for today
Our Father, thank you for our sacred spaces that look like regular old buildings and parks and beaches. Jesus, thank you for teaching us the importance of physical space being a small part of the greater Kingdom. Spirit, guide us towards gratitude for all the little things that bring us joy. Amen.
Remember
Close your eyes and take a second to think back to a physical space that makes you smile. Maybe you had a happy memory there. Maybe a sad one that now makes you happy when you think back on how you have changed since then.
And just pray, “Thank you.”