Create a Smart Phone Prayer List by using the “Notes” app like on an iPhone to help you  remember to pray for people who request prayer.

How to do this prayer practice:

1.  Unleash the prayer potential of your electronic leash. Have you ever told someone you’d pray for them but then forgotten to pray later?  I have called my iPhone 3GS my “electronic leash”, but we can turn that “leash” into a powerful prayer tool.  If you are like me, your cell phone is always with you. On my iPhone 3GS I have a “Notes” application that comes standard with the phone.  The “Notes” app allows the user to do just that, make a note.  Without having to set up a special prayer app, you instantly have a prayer list that can be modified at any time.  And it’s always with you!  For those times when people ask you to pray for their life situation, now you can make a note on your Smart Phone (iPhone, Droid, or Blackberry) and remember to pray

2.  Start a note. I started a note entitled “Prayer List” on my phone.  Making a note takes a few seconds.  Type out a cryptic note and make it look pretty later.

3.  Easily add and subtract names and situations. I can add names or situations to the list, or I can take them off when a specific prayer situation has been answered.

4.  Automatically receive reminders. The beauty of this app is that it will e-mail the note to your inbox so that you have a record of the note.  This feature is available on the iPhone and the “Evernote” app for Android.

5.  Easily share requests. The app also makes possible creating a list to share among your friends or accountability partners.  This is a great way for simple Notes to be made on the existing prayer list then e-mailed to friends who can update their list or add to the prayer list.  I am able to share this list with my wife Kelly, and she can update as needed.  All she has to do is reply to the e-mail or text, and then I update the list in the app.

6.  Check out your prayer notes when you’re checking out at the grocery store. You can also take time to glance at this list while waiting in line at the coffee shop, grocery store, elementary school, on your coffee break at work…the possibilities and places are endless.  A quick review of the list will remind you to say a short prayer for difficult situations or a particular person in need.

My personal experiences and tips: I had been using the notes app in the past for sermon notes, and it dawned on me one day that the same functionality of the phone could be used for a prayer list.  In this electronic age we have the means to be mobile and global with applications such as “YouVersion – The Bible App” which has over 45 different translations of the Bible, and Bible reading programs.  However, a simple app like “Notes” can be a powerful tool for creating, updating and passing along prayer lists for your family, community groups, accountability groups and friends.

The prayer you pray for that person may make a difference for their life situation, and a simple Note may help you remember to pray that prayer.  “The Lord is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:8, HSCB)

Technical Notes: The Blackberry platform has “Simple Notes” that allows you to make a list, but does not have the e-mail feature.  The Android platform has apps such as “Evernotes” that allows you to e-mail from the app.

How to fit this prayer idea into your schedule: This prayer mode fits into any schedule because there are no time limitations.  In the time it takes to check Facebook or Twitter, a note can be made about a prayer need or adding a name to your list.  And remember, you can always find time to refer to this list during short daily down time when you’re waiting somewhere.

The Biblical origins and traditional roots of this method of prayer: Let’s start something new.  Here is your chance to be on the cutting edge and take prayer to a new meaningful level in your life.  My prayer list has taken a new place of priority in my life so that I can follow the Apostle Paul’s instruction: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (Colossians 4:2 HCSB)

Submitted by: David E. Shelton