Disclosure: I received this book from Family Christian. The post contains affiliate links; opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Back in my college days, we played a game at the cafeteria.  It was meant to be innocent and kind of funny, but looking back on it I feel rather ashamed.  When it was time to say prayer together, we’d all prop up our thumbs which meant “Not IT.”  The last person to catch on had to thank God for our food.  Why did we skip out on that opportunity to speak with the Lord?  Asking the Lord’s blessing on our meal was a chance to share that moment in God’s presence.  Matthew 18:20 says that when 2 or 3 are gathered in the Lord’s name, He is there among them.  What an awesome reminder of the power of prayer!  So God, I’m sorry for all those times I skipped out on talking with you. I’m doing my best to catch up these days.

Don’t take that verse to mean that God isn’t there when you are alone, though.   Prayer is an important time to have a conversation with God.  If you find yourself avoiding the small talk, or if your prayers echo back without a response from God, you might be tempted to give it up.   No matter where you are on your walk with Christ, Before Amen will reach you at that place. It recently received the honor of being the Family Christian Book of the Year.  Max Lucado is an bestselling inspirational writer for good reason.  His countless books have guided me through at least 20 years of my faith, and I’m sure that millions of others could say the same.  Before Amen offers a complex simplicity that will deepen your prayer life when used on a regular basis.

Lucado suggests a simple yet powerful outline for prayer that works in every situation. It’s a pocket prayer that can be said in a few seconds or in a few minutes.  Each chapter of this book explores one aspect of the simple prayer.  Regardless of the situation, the meaning is applicable.  Requests for healing.  Cries for help.  Pleas for forgiveness.  Sound familiar?  God has heard it all, but He still wants to hear it from YOU.  Before Amen is a meaningful way to develop the habit of prayer in your everyday moments.    If you aren’t convinced that you can incorporate the simple prayer into your already busy schedule, why not give my Simple Prayer Rocks a try?  Instead of trying to practice the simple prayer in its brief entirety, I wrote the core meanings of each line on the back of a small stone.  These slip easily in my pocket or purse for a quick reminder.  It’s also a good way to stay focused on my conversation with God.

Rhinestones are the perfect backdrop for these prayer stones because they have a smooth back surface.  I used a permanent marker to write the message; these Slick Writers would work well, too.   The ink dried right away but if you’re concerned about the ink fading, you could also give the writing a quick topcoat of clear nail polish.   Keep the stones in a place where you can quickly pick one up with your keys and drop it in your pocket on the way out of the door.  To others, they might look like decorative stones on your entryway table.  You’ll know that they’re really conversation starters. For me, there will be no more thumbs up at prayer time. Instead, I’m taking those moments to chat with God.