Prayer Rock Poem

Here’s a fun poem I shared as part of a message on prayer on Sunday. (A big thanks to Thelma Campbell at Plantation Community Church who first introduced me to the poem.)

“PRAYER ROCK” (Author Unknown)

I’m your little prayer rock
and this is what I’ll do.
Just put me on your pillow
’til the day is through.

Then turn back the covers
and climb into your bed,
and, whack! your little prayer rock
will bump you on the head.

Then you will remember
as the day is through,
to kneel and say your prayers
as you intended to.

Then when you are finished
dump me on the floor.
I’ll stay there through the nighttime
to give you help once more.

When you get up next morning,
clunk! I stub your toe,
so that you will remember
your prayers before you go.

Put me back upon your pillow
when your bed is made,
and your clever little prayer rock
will continue in your aid.

Because your Heavenly Father
cares and loves you so,
He wants you to remember
to talk to Him, you know.

In discussion class after the service, we asked if anyone had actually used a prayer rock before. One woman said she used to but she didn’t need it anymore. Her husband joked, “Yeah, now she puts it on my pillow!” Do you use any types of “reminders” to help you remember to pray?

Click here for more poems.
Click here for poems by Ray Fowler.

9 Comments

  1. Sharon Gamble says:

    It used to be I would tell myself if I didn’t have time for Bible and prayer, then I couldn’t have breakfast. (Somehow I then found the time!) Then, I wouldn’t allow myself to read the newspaper if I hadn’t spent time with God…now, I start the morning with prayer and Bible before anything else. I brew a cup of tea and curl up on the couch with my Bible and prayer journal before I even turn on the computer and read your blog. First things first!!

  2. Bethany says:

    First off, I began to sing this poem in my head to the tune of “I’m a Little Teapot”, which is now doing endless circles in my brain. Help!

    On a more serious note, I have a great system for remembering to pray. I have had a lifelong habit of worrying. Many years ago, my very wise sister told me to “turn your worries into prayers”. Wow! That has been so effective ever since. When I start to worry (at bedtime, in the middle of the night, when I wake up and worry about the day ahead, and throughout the day)I just turn that worry into a prayer. This can mean lots of prayers during some days! But as well as causing me to pray, it also reminds me that I am not in charge – of my life, my family, my world – but that God is, and He wants us to put Him first, even in our worries.

    Hope that helps any of you fellow-worriers out there!

  3. Ray Fowler says:

    Oh dear, I hope we can come up with a more serious tune than “I’m a little teapot.” How about “A Mighty Fortress?”

  4. Ginny says:

    I use the prayer rock poem with small rocks wrapped in cloth and tied at the top with ribbon. I punch a hole in the paper with the poem and tie it to the rock with the ribbon. I take these to people I know who are having a difficult time in their lives and ask them to keep it by their bed. I don’t know how they use it, but most say it helped them.

  5. Melissa says:

    I use good sized rocks and let the kids paint them different colors. They love this and then they really like there rocks too so they want to keep them.

  6. Melissa says:

    BTW, I think I’m a little tea pot is perfect. Thanks for the idea. Afterall, this is children singing.

  7. Georgia says:

    I never thought I would gain so much strength from a rock. I am 60 and going through a very disturbing time with my 37 year old daughter. I was so depressed and buried myself in my bedroom and in the dark. The young adults at Mt Pleasant FWB Church outside of Newport NC, had the older adults select a rock and paint it. I did not do a very good job painting this rock, but I have to tell you about it.I just picked a rock, I painted it, with not the best paint or the best brush….This rock has become my Rock, my Salvation, my Comforter….and the list goes on and on….I put my Rock in the palm of my hand every night! My Rock fits perfectly in my left hand, JESUS gave me this rock…it was not a random choice I made. Through much prayer from church family and Christian friends and holding my ROCK tightly at night, I have come out of that dark depressed state. Situations have not changed the situation I am going through. Praise God! I have entrusted the bad in my life as well as the good, I have a solid Rock, praise God!

  8. Christian Sister says:

    There are other versions of the poem that do not include the words whack and stub. As Christians we should be on the frontlines in the spiritual battle against domestic abuse. What we tolerate in unkind behavior from others we invite into our lives, homes, and sanctuaries.

  9. Ray Fowler says:

    Christian Sister – Thanks for your comment! I did not realize those words were offensive in the context of the poem. Can you give me a link to an alternative version of the poem? I agree that as Christians we need to be sensitive to domestic abuse, speak up and stand with women who are suffering abuse. Here is a link to a message I preached at our church on the subject of abuse: http://www.rayfowler.org/sermons/lord-i-have-a-problem/dealing-with-abuse/ Blessings! Ray

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