A Simple Way to Upgrade Your Prayer Life

Who could’ve thought that something so simple could turn out to be something so profound and lead to deepening a person’s prayer life?

Recently, I was scrolling through Catholic social media, and I came across the most beautiful picture of Jesus as an infant. I saved the image to my cell phone's photo app. The picture was so striking, I knew I had to incorporate it into my prayer life somehow. That’s when the idea struck me. I could use it as the wallpaper/background photo on my cellphone.

Normally, I would have pictures of my husband, our kids, or our eight grandchildren, but I hadn’t been able to find a recent picture that appealed to me. Jesus’ picture was ideal. It’s so sweet, and, interestingly enough, in this depiction, He looks so similar to our youngest grandson when he was that age. No wonder it spoke to me! 

After I set the picture as the wallpaper on my phone, I shared the image with my friends on Instagram and Facebook. I felt like I’d done what I was called to do—get the picture more exposure.

What I didn’t realize was that every time I opened my phone, I would see that picture. And, every time I saw that sweet face of Jesus, I felt compelled to communicate with Him, with either a short greeting or a prayer in supplication or in gratitude.

I’m not sure what the average number of times per day a person checks their phone is, but, at least for me, it’s a lot. Because of this one picture, I’ve substantially increased my prayer frequency and my time spent in prayer.

As a bonus, when I’m out and about or waiting in line, and I pull out my phone, the picture pops up, so people standing nearby can see it. Perhaps it will inspire them to pray as well.

If you’re looking to deepen your faith life, it can be as simple as changing the picture that you see every time you open your phone. It sure worked for me. Let me know if you’re giving it a try, and how it changes your prayer life, too!

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About the author: An avid reader and history buff since childhood, Amanda Lauer is the author of the award-winning YA Heaven Intended Civil War series, and the time-travel novels, Anything But Groovy and Royal & Ancient. Amanda and her husband John have been married more than 40 years, have four married adult children, and eight precious grandchildren.