Sabbath Devotional :: What Do You Want to Tell God About?

Visiting my brother in Finland, we toured a historic church that had seen wars, plagues, and fires — its brochure noted that it “had been through tough times.” There, my four-year-old niece was intrigued by what looked like a bowl of marbles on a low table. When I came over, I saw this sign in three languages instructing worshippers on what to do with stones of each color:

What do you want to tell God about? Place stones in the large bowl

Red: Things I hold dear
Green: Myself
Yellow: Responsibilities
Blue: Tomorrow
Black: Grief
White: Joy

Like my niece, I suddenly had the urge to grab handfuls of each color stone. I had so many things I wanted to tell God about, on all of these topics. It reminded me of a verse in Revelation 5, where the prayers of the saints are presented to the Lamb in heaven in golden vials full of incense. Here, it was colored stones instead of aromatic scents.

My niece was unaware of the symbolism, but she chose white (joy) and red (things dear) stones, which fit her age and personality well. I was especially feeling all the yellow responsibilities and blue tomorrows. Looking into the bowl, I noticed that the colors others had chosen were close to equal, but more joy than grief.

I love the concepts of a color coded prayer roll and tactile separation of thoughts. As I tried to pray later using those color categories, I realized that many of my prayers are for others. I was unaccustomed to telling God about myself. It was a bit unsettling at first, but then refreshing to have a new conversation.

I invite you to consider how you would arrange your prayer concerns into these categories. What stones are you picking up, and depositing in the rainbow prayer bowl? I’d love to hear your thoughts, and the answers and peace you find. Even in the “tough times” that we (like this Finnish church) experience sharing the gems of our hearts with God’s listening ear brings peace.

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Here are some scriptures that reassure me on each of these prayer topics:

Red: Things (and people) I hold dear

“And now may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds [and upon your job and your car, your pet hamster and your dishwasher]; your women and your children, according to your faith and good works, from this time forth and forever.” Alma 7:27

“God will be merciful unto many; and our children shall be restored, that they may come to that which will give them the true knowledge of their Redeemer.” 2 Nephi 10:2

Green: Myself

Psalm 23

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God; For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” Psalm 42:11

“Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.” D&C 122:9

“Blessed art thou _____; therefore lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him.” Alma 8:15

Yellow: Responsibilities

“Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.” D&C 6:36

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. . . .” Matthew 11:28-30

Blue: Tomorrow

“Therefore, dearly beloved [sisters], let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.” D&C 123:17

“Seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Luke 12:29-31

Black: Grief

“Jesus wept.”

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows” Isaiah 53:4

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. . . and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” Alma 7:11-12

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” Revelation 7:17

White: Joy

“Weeping may endure for a night [or for years of many nights], but joy cometh in the morning” Psalm 30:5

“Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. . . Let the mountains shout for joy, and all ye valleys cry aloud; and all ye seas and dry lands tell the wonders of your Eternal King! . . . And let the eternal creations declare his name forever and ever!” D&C 128:22-23

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“Ask the Father in the name of Jesus for what things soever ye shall stand in need. Doubt not, but be believing, and begin as in times of old, and come unto the Lord with all your heart.” Mormon 9:27