Well, here we are. I didn’t think it was possible, but we’re halfway through August, the stores have released their fall collections, plans are being made for a non-Halloween Halloween, and I’m mentally still back in April.
It’s my mother’s birthday on Saturday, and I think I miss her and my family so much that my heart has actually become numb to it. Does that make sense? It’s as though it is easier to turn off that homesick emotion, than to feel it and live in the sadness.
However…Ohio was just taken off of the “travel restriction” list for New York, so I’m hopeful that a reunion home is in my future for early September. And let me tell you, it can’t come soon enough!
I was given a really beautiful gift for my birthday. From a special gentleman, I might add.
A prayer plant.
That’s it’s nick name. It’s really a Maranta Leuconeura. But it gets it name because at night, the leaves fold together in a “praying hands” position, and open up during the day! It’s so cool!
But it’s really a beautiful reminder of an important truth I can admittedly forget…and that, is the power of prayer.
It seems like here recently, things that need prayer have snapped into crystal clear focus. We’re on month five of the pandemic, and every single person, in ways big and small, have been hit economically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, in our work and hobbies and sources of enjoyment.
There are so many areas of life that are “on the rocks,” if you will. Missing loved ones. Disappointing diagnoses. News that triggers anxiety. Perhaps even announcements about certain VP running mates…
Without a source of hope or comfort, things *could* seem pretty bleak.
That’s where this little prayer plant comes in with a rather hefty reminder.
And that is not only the beauty of prayer, but actually the sustaining power of it.
This little plant…it closes in prayer at night, and then during the day, it opens itself up to the sun. It completely opens itself, and in doing so, allows the sun to supply the nutrients and sunshine needed for photo synthesis. It can soak up the rain, take in the air and give off oxygen, and drink up the nutrients from the soil.
And it grows.
This methodical night and day ritual for this plant causes it to grow and thrive and be sustained for years and years.
Isn’t that such a beautiful reminder for us?
When we pray, and open our heart to Jesus, He fills us with everything we need to survive.
So when we get that phone call, or feel homesick, or get those results, or feel afraid of things to come…we take it to prayer. Because there is power there. There is a life-sustaining current of grace and divine intervention that supports us through the trial – through the storm.
How easy it is to forget, or to think that we are facing life’s trials alone.
How blessed are we that we never are.
So my prayer for me and for you, is that we never forget that God really does care. That He listens. That He is there for us, even when we don’t feel it. Even when we’re scared, or frustrated, or feeling at the end of our rope. When things aren’t going well. When adversity seems insurmountable. That we just remember the methodical strength of the little prayer plant: prayer at night, open to receive during the day.
We are so loved. May we never forget.
“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5
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114 responses to “Small, But Mighty Prayer Plant”
I kid you not — just 20 minutes ago I was in a phone conversation with my son’s fiancée, and we were discussing the power of prayer. And the reminder of how answered prayers remind us that we are part of a big picture and all is part of a plan even when we feel all is in chaos. What a beautiful gift that plant is. And what a beautiful gift prayer is.
Oh wow! Talk about divine timing! You’re so right about that – it is a gift, and a powerful one at that!! Thanks Chrissie for stopping by!! Hugs and love xox
https://ashivamchoudharyblogger.wordpress.com
Nothing needed to add to your thoughts. Faith-filled thoughts. Thanks Caralyn. You are my favorite read well except for the Bible. John
Thank you so much John. Oh my gosh you’re too kind. I’m humbled by your generous words! Thanks for putting a smile on my face! Hugs and love xox
Prayer – the means of first resort. At least it should. Maybe even the means of ongoing resort. See an ambulance? Pray for the victim AND the 1st responders. Is it raining? Thank God for it and the shelter you watch it from. There are hundreds of reasons to pray throughout the day instead of making talking to God a hotline event. Casual conversation. All day long.
Hi Jeff! You’re so right – prayer needs to be the first resort. That’s how God wants it! And wow what powerful examples. I pray at the sound of ambulances, but I must say the rain is a new one! I’ll remember that from now on. What a great perspective. Not a hotline event. You’re always full of so much wisdom. Thank you for sharing it with me Jeff!! I hope you and the girls are having a great week! Would love a life update email if you have a free minute or two! 🙂 hugs xox
Wisdom is scars just sorta dressed up, I think! Yeah, we’ll catch up. We are all well. Hugs to you also…
Scars dressed up. Now that is profound
i usually make two trips a summer to visit family. I so understand your heartache, Caralyn. Stay strong. 🙏🏻🙂
Thanks so much John! Yeah being away from family is so difficult right now. I pray this season quickly comes to a close! Hugs and love xox
Amen to that.
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Amen! We can pray and give it all to him, everyday, all day long.
He will walk us through it all in his peace if we let him.
You’re so right about that Milly! He will walk us through in His peace, I love that thought! Hugs and love xox
That’s beautiful!!!
A prayer plant!!!
Hallelujah!!!
Thank you so much! Yes! It was such a thoughtful gift, I couldn’t believe it! Hugs and love xox
“Jesus, Jesus, one touch of Your hand
I am healed and I am whole
Jesus, Jesus, one glimpse of Your face
Brings fire to my soul”
Hillsongs
Oh wow I love that so much. Leave it to Hillsong to really bring it home with the powerful lyrics! Hugs and love xox
I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. What I’m hearing about NY isn’t encouraging. Take care of yourself, Caralyn…
Hi Matt! Oh gosh thank you for the kind thoughts. Yeah, though New York is doing well with covid, the crime is definitely up. Very concerning. Hugs and love xox
My wife’s death has coloured how I look on Prayer. Neither death nor any created thing is able to separate us from the divine love we share in a Holy Communion that continues beyond death. Now we see through a glass dimly, but then we shall see clearly face to face. I compare the mystery of death to the mystery and wonder of life itself. Once, we were within the security of the womb and faced the trauma of birth not knowing the awesome wonders nor the love that awaited us in dimensions yet to be experienced. So shall it be in death. ‘Death is not the extinguishing of the light. It is but the putting out of the lamp, for the dawn has come.’ ― Rabindranath Tagore
Thank you so much for sharing your heart and your experience. You’re so right – so shall it be, like birth. I’ve never thought of it like that before – totally powerful perspective. I love it. Thanks for stopping by! Hugs and love xox
I so understand the homesickness! Sometimes it just seems better to try not to think about it!
Also, I love the prayer plant. Did you know that the leaves of the peanut plant do the same thing ? So cool!
Wishing you the best!
Thanks Joy, I appreciate that so much. Really?! I had no idea! It really is so cool! Reminds you just how *alive* plants really are! Hugs and love xox
We always have the opportunity for prayer and in so doing we receive hope from the one source that matters, our loving Creator, who knows and loves each one of us personally. Amen. 🙏✝️🙏
Hi Lawrence! You’re absolutely right. We receive hope from Him when we go to Him in prayer! Hugs and love xox
Absolutely! And hello or actually good morning to you Caralyn! I got caught up in another deep thought conversation, or some contemplation, just about the same time I sent that comment last night to you, but immediately after responding to that other lady I had to head offline for the evening to have a long conversation on the phone. This morning I just finished writing a comment that I see as finalizing the thought process of the comment to that other lady’s posting, which was the opposite mindset in a way, and yet regarding the same matter at hand of what we direct our attention to here on your site about faith, and putting that faith where it rightfully belongs. I’m sharing this other comment this morning because I hope it helps to illustrate how crucial our faith is to those who either don’t have it or are too wishy-washy in theirs. I don’t usually do this, but, I think your conversation coinciding with the other lady’s, which actually were the only two in my Word Press cue at that moment and required my commenting was no coincidence, because in both the matter of faith was front and center for good reason! I see the Divine at work in this without a doubt. Here is the comment today.
“As I woke this morning this was on my mind, and could see how it fits with last night’s thoughts.
Some people want to worship the mundane, but, I will only worship the source of all things that exist. Very easy choice for me because I look around and see nothing in mankind or the earth that deserve any ultimate enough reverence; which if I did that it would actually be akin to saying because a goldfish is swimming in a fishbowl it should worship itself or the fishbowl; that prospect isn’t going anywhere. Same with you and I, should we think that worshiping ourselves or planet earth will bear some fantastic result that will eventually transcend all of this finite world around us; I think not. Besides that, if we examine the human race at this moment in time with all of its nuclear and biological weapons of mass destruction and see all the animosity, disagreement, division and exploitation which has been mankind’s consistent practice throughout history just for starters; that fact obviously to me indicates a futile dilemma of looking into a mirror and wishing what I see in it will suddenly be something else or other than what reflects back into my eyes! Now I must say, that would be a fool’s errand if I’ve ever seen one up close and personal.”
Gee Caralyn, I think I just said how I could really make a fool of myself! What do you think about that, funny how things come out sometimes!😉 🕊🙏✝️🙏🕊
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🙂 thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome Caralyn. Maybe you can do me a favor? Check this out when you have time and give me your impressions if you can either on your latest post or mine and email option is always available to keep it simple too!
https://lawrencemorra.com/2020/08/14/experts-warn-a-horrible-surprise-coming/
BTW I’m glad you get to travel in the short term again to go back home and visit your family! 🙂 🙏✝️🙏
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https://lawrencemorra.com/2019/08/14/a-special-dog-angel/
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I’ll see what input You can afford, plenty more where that came from! 🥰
🙂 🙏✝️🙏
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Excellent remembrance. I never heard of a prayer plant. I am going to get one of these. Paul tells us to Pray without ceasing. 1 These 5:16-20 should be brought to mind frequently. “Rejoice evermore”. All hard to do, but so rewarding. Thanks for the reminder. Be blessed.
Thanks so much Dennis! Yeah they really beautiful plants! Amen! Hugs and love xox
Prayer sustains me, I start my day before I even look at anything of the world with prayer. I start it with thy will be done, and often times throughout my day I find myself having to turn it back over to Him. That is the beauty of a conscious contact with a gracious God. I get to get out of self, and give it all to Him. He meets me right where I am, and His mercies are new every morning. Prayer gives me peace in these perilous times. If I find myself uncomfortable, or feeling off prayer brings me to the feet of Jesus. It is such a beautiful reprieve, and it readies me for whatever the world might have as soon as the prayer is done, a phone call, the news, what is beyond my front door. I get to put on the full armor of God, and that way I can face whatever comes my way with God at my right side. That prayer plant is so metaphorically awesome! As I lay my head down on my pillow I pray that God has all of me, and that I don’t hold anything back. Thank you for sharing, I know missing. My daughter is 24 next month. She lives in Orlando. I have not physically seen her in 5 years. That was because of my alcoholism, and my fleeing God. So now I know in His perfect time we will see one another. We do text, and talk. These are the miracles of walking with a loving God, and surrendering! So best to you with getting to see your family soon! God knows your heart! Blessings! Keep on keeping on! 💜
Thank you so much Lisa for this beautiful response. I love that – prayer is so sustaining. It gets us through the good times and tough seasons! Your words are so poetic!! Know that you’re in my prayers! Hugs and love xox
Aweeee thank you so much! Here is to a rad weekend in Him! Prayers all the way around! 💜
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broken record me but I am glad for thee… I always am looking for reminders, because? good question. because we LOVE distractions, we are wired to flock to them (moth to flame, hello?), I myself am guilty of same, I am not religious but I get the purity (and beauty) of the vibe when I see it, it is love of life, all life, this life, all lives, I wear things to remind myself or ground myself, so why not a plant ? why not… the more reminders the better, as we falter so easily, because the road should be hard, and is, and darn those road side stands are so alluring…
Aw thank you David, you’re too kind 🙂 you’re so right – love of life!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
(1) I’ve never heard of tihs prayer plant. I like it.
(2) Your mom has the same birthday as me… this sounds vaguely familiar now that I mention it.
(3) Don’t even get me started on that woman… she makes Hillary look like Mother Teresa by comparison.
Thanks Greg! Oh gosh happy early birthday!! 🙂 hope you have a great bday weekend! Hugs and love xox
Thank you!
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Fabulous post
Thank you so much!! Hugs and love xox
My dear friend Caralyn,
Rencently and in recent years I have written some poems about prayers which I would like to share with you and blogging friends:
To everyone hope and courage to go through these hard times.
Hugs and love 🙂
Didi
Prayerless Prayer
Wishlessly happy
Free from attachments
Of the world
When completely surrendered,
Devoted to God
Because He is
In the heart
Knowing each thought
This service to God
Land, man and soul
Done with the heart
Becomes a permanent prayer
Without thoughts…
DidiArtist, 16.05.2017
Compassion
Tears fill the sky
Of millions of crying hearts
Each of them walking
Through dark times
Oceans full of bloody tears
Lose their voice in storms
Lost fates, drowned screams
In the ocean of life
Such voices whisper in my heart
Need someone to listen
A ray of sunshine
To warm their broken hearts
With the prayer of my heart
May all who suffer in deep pain
Detach from darkness, tormenting states
To take a bath in light
My tears accompany you
With showers of hope
Rain of good wishes
To wash away your pain
You are not alone, my friend
Your pain is felt
Your voice heard
In the depth of my heart
My answer, dear brother, sister:
Love and light to you
Rise above agony
Seize courage, a new beginning…
May the ray of my love
Reach your heart
Give some solace
And be a lamp in the night…
DidiArtist, 25.07.2018
Prayer for 2020
May we all be on the road of light
The path of truth,
The way of spirituality
To see our own face
In the reflection
Of the water of life
May we be all a light beam
Back to the source
The sun of our heart…
May we be all brothers and sisters
In this great sun living in us
In exchange of love and understanding
To bring a change in this world
Not governed by mind and ego
To shine as bright stars
Love is the answer…
DidiArtist, 31.12.2019
Heart Prayer
Let us pray
Not with our mouth
But with the tongue
Of our heart
That its waves
May reach God
DidiArtist, 20.07.17
Thank you so much Didi for sharing this beautiful prayer. I am so moved by it!! Hugs and love xox
Welcome, my friend 🙂
All that is good for you and yours 🙂
Didi
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That is certainly an interesting gift. I wish they had such plants here. Would make a great gift idea for my mom. Whenever it is her birthday, we always take her to the garden center to pick out a couple of plants she likes. She loves gardening and stuff.
However with this Dubai heat, it is hard to find a flowering plant that lasts.
Also great to hear that you have a special gentleman in your life. Keep up the great posts.. Right now I’m going to post on my blog about keyboard layouts.. LOL.
Thank you so much! Keyboard layouts! Can’t wait to hear what you’ve by t to say about them! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
To be fair, I’ve shared about them before. At the risk of sounding extremely geeky, I do like the Dvorak layout, even though on paper, Colemak is better.
But the standard layout is so ubiquitous, most don’t think about changing. Right now, I’m trying decide which is the best for my usage.
The power if intention is 💯 real magic✨ The c act that we can call upon Him and prayers are answered is absolutely so beautiful. I love everything about this post, incredibly well expressed. So many blessings to you and so much love my dear❤❤❤
Thank you so much! Amen to that – we can call upon Him!! Thanks for sharing your heart. Hugs and love xox
Thanks for this, have googled that plant, trying to work out if it will survive in UK weather. Beautiful, and thanks for all the encouragement over the years on my blog, so appreciated!
Hi Paul! Thanks so much!! It’s a great indoor plant! 🙂 makes the house feel very homey! Hugs and love xox
Such a beautiful gift bringing an important reminder! God is speaking through things all around us, if we will just listen. Hope you get to visit your family very soon!
Thanks so much Ellen! You’re so right – He’s even speaking through little house plants! Haha Hugs and love xox
What a beautiful gift and reminder that prayer is as needed in my life as I air I breathe. My on going conversations with God are often informal but I think He’s ok with that.
Thanks so much Lorie! You’re so right! As the air we breathe!! Hugs and love xox
Such a beautiful plant! Thanks for sharing it with us. I am extra grateful this morning here in Iowa… At 4:30 this morning we got our power back after losing it on Monday morning due to the devastating derecho winds that did so much damage here and in Illinois. So right now I am reading this with my cell phone plugged in and the lights on and the air-conditioning humming again 🙂 blessings to you and hope you see your family soon!
Aw thank you so much! Oh wow I’m so glad you got your power back! Thank you Jesus! And how sweet sweet sweet is that AC! Haha Hugs and love xox
what a wonderful gift. I hope you get to see your family soon!
Thanks Jim! Me too – I’m hoping early September!!! 🙂 Hugs and love xox
good luck!
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I love this! Thank you for the wonderful reminder!
Thanks so much! Glad it hit home with you! Hugs and love xox
Amen! Thank you for the prayer! 🙏
Thank you friend! Absolutely! Hugs and love xox
I think I’ve got one of those plants and now I have a name for it.
Oh awesome!! Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend! Hugs and love xox
What a wonderful gift and positive thought for today! There is so much power in prayer and that reminder from a plant that God gave us is one of life’s beautiful blessings. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe.
Beautiful sentiment from you Caralyn. I’m glad you received such a nice and meaningful gift. One that helps your faith and gives you strength.
Thank you so much Derek! Yes, it was really meaningful! Hugs and love xox
Love this! I’ve been looking for plants to add some green to my apartment and I’ll have to see if I can get one of these. Thanks for the reminder and encouragement! 💕
Thank you so much Ashley! 🙂 yes! All the green!! Have a great weekend! Hugs and love xox
Such a beautiful and hopeful post. And what a very special plant you were gifted. Thanks for sharing. Big hugs and love to you and stay strong. 💙🙏
Thank you so much Miriam! I know! It was such a special gift! Hugs and love xox
I need one of these plants as a reminder to pray and talk with Abba 😄
Yes! Thanks Stuart! It was such a special gift! Hugs and love xox
A prayer house is a power house. Prayer does not only change things, it changes people. I’m hearing about this flower for the first time, interesting. God speaks to us with natural stuffs. God bless
Thanks so much Chris! You’re so right! It changes people in a big way!! Hugs and love xox
Cool! A prayer plant!
I love the lesson about prayer.
I will think about this…🌻
Thank you!! Yes – it is a beautiful reminder of the power and importance of prayer:) have an awesome day! Hugs and love xox
Amen
Thank you friend! Hugs and love xox
Lovely reminder, Caralyn
Thank you so much Penny! Hope you have a great Sunday! Hugs and love xox
Beautiful analogy, Carolyn! Hugs to you for sharing this with all of us…and blessings upon the special gentlemen who presented you with such a sweet gift.
thank you so much Dawn Marie! 🙂 yes! it was such a thoughtful gift, I feel very blessed. Hope you have a beautiful evening! Hugs and love xox
Yes indeed God both listens and sees. Our greatest achievement in this life is to find quiet times in which we listen and learn to identify His voice speaking to us. It gives us the greatest quality of life when we learn to do that 🙂 My eldest daughter lives in Ohio. Hope you can get home to see your folk soon.
Thank you Ian for this. You’re absolutely right – those quiet times, though hard to come by, are so incredibly important!! Me too! Hugs and love xox
Thanks for the reminder! It’s easy to forget in the business of the day. Plant was a beautiful analogy.
Thanks so much 🙂 yes! I love what the plant signifies! Hugs and love xox
I’ve never heard of the prayer plant. LOVE ❤️
yes! it is not only beautiful, but it reminds me to pray everyday! it’s got a wonderful message! hope you’re enjoying your time in CB! big hugs to you xox
Thank you for this awesome reminder!
Thank you again!!
That plant looks like something to have too!
Thank you! Yes! It is my special little buddy hehe Hugs and love xox
Oh what a lovely post! You’ve no idea how much this post helped me right now! Thank you sister. 🙏🏻
Hello again!! 🙂 thank you so much, I’m so glad it hit home with you. Know that you’re in my prayers! Hugs and love xox
I have redoubled my prayers and will continue to do so. Yesterday, I actually attended church in person and it felt so good. I pray before I get out of bed in the morning and I try to pray during the day, which I will now go and do. There are always brief moments when we can pray during the day, not to mention lengthier ones. I make a cross–right thumb over the left one–on the steering wheel when I am driving.
God bless you always.
oh my gosh that is so great that you were able to go in person!!!! ah, i miss it so much. love that steering wheel hack 🙂 Hugs and love xox
You will. The Holy Spirit will nudge you and tell you that it’s time.
yes!
Great post.
I love plants. They are cute to watch them grow.