Gina Fensterer of Someday Saints recently posted about how social media can be a powerful tool for prayer and evangelization. Think about how we can put prayer in action through social media.
Social media can be a great tool for gathering a community in prayer. I know of no better way to quickly tap into the communion of saints on earth and dozens upon dozens of prayer warriors than by logging on and asking for friends to pray.
We all know the dangers of social media. It sucks time, distracts us from work and family time, keeps us from connecting to the person next to us in line...and yet, great good can come from intentional use of social media. I'm reminded of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who used the media--a typewriter--to spread the Gospel. We have, quite literally, at our fingertips the greatest too, of our time. If it isn't smart phone or tablet, nearly every home has a computer. With a few quick taps, we can rally the prayers of friends and friends of friends quicker than we'd reach two people on the phone in a prayer chain.
About 3 months ago, I was very nearly ready to ditch social media. Instead of completely signing off, I switched Instagram to "private" and decreased my time on Facebook. One reason I remain on Facebook is because of the incredible potential for rallying prayer warriors. Brilliant saints before us have recognized the good in media for evangelization (think St. Maximillian Kolbe and St. John Paul II)...and following their example, I'm not giving up on social media. Nope, I'm using my time and my posts intentionally, and one way I'm choosing to do so is in asking for prayers, and praying for my friends when they request them.
I've seen the power of prayer. It is incredible. About a month ago, a friend in a women's group on Facebook shared the devastating and terrifying news of a life-threatening condition affecting her and her unborn child. Next week, she will deliver this child by c-section, and then undergo a lengthy surgery which will hopefully save her life, but the recovery will be long and hard. Without sharing all the details, imagine this: because of social media, she was able to share with many people at once. Immediately, the other women in this group started posting to our personal FB pages, asking for prayers. And then suddenly there were hundreds of people lifting up a prayer for a mom in need.
This past week, another friend of mine found herself facing a parent's worst nightmare. Again, within minutes, we had hundreds of people sharing, asking for prayers to surround her and her family. In *minutes*, the communion of saints calls upon our God to be present, to heal, to comfort, to rejoice.
It is beautiful.
Comment below with your thoughts:
How can you use social media to reach out in prayer this week? Where do you look online for encouragement and inspiration? Can we change our online communities into places of blessing for others?
or, simply answer:
Did you pray today?
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