When I tell one of the uninitiated that I’m a big Facebook fan, I get, “Isn’t it a terrific waste of time?” Sure, it can be. You can scroll through the status updates and read one bland, self-serving, self-absorbed declaration after another.
But like church (and anything else in life), you get out of it what you put into it. I believe social media can be a real asset in your prayer life. Here are ways to make it work for you.
Make your friends and followers your congregation.
Every time I log on I see a lot to pray about. All those announcements about kids, jobs, health, anniversaries, birthdays. It’s like a roll call of prayer requests. Cause for praise and cause for petition. Recently I posted something about my fourth anniversary of heart surgery. Wow, I was so touched by all the kind wishes. It was like coffee hour on Sunday morning. An online community can be a tremendous prayer network. You’ll find out stuff you never knew.
Say Amen, somebody.
One of the great God-given pleasures in life is to be an encourager. Every time you “like” something or make a comment, you’re getting a chance to support somebody. I’m grateful to the friends who post Bible verses and inspirational quotes and articles. When I click that “like” icon, it’s like shouting out Amen at a worship service. (OK, at my Episcopal church we don’t really shout.)
Let your social network stretch you.
People are always linking to some controversial article or video screed. I consciously follow people who are not exactly my political tent mates, however fond of them I am. I’ll read the article they like. I might not agree, but I’m given a chance to understand where they’re coming from. “In Christ, there is no East or West,” goes the old hymn, “but one great fellowship of love.” At least Facebook gives me a chance to pray forgiveness for those few misguided friends of mine.
Watch what you watch.
You don’t have to accept every offered friendship. You can un-friend someone or make them an “acquaintance” or form a group for your closest friends. There is a natural sorting out anyway (however much some people complain about it). The people you don’t comment on or don’t “like” sink to the bottom of the scroll. God has given us all great powers of discrimination. Use them on Facebook.
Take a Facebook Sabbath.
Too much digital interaction makes me internally jumpy. My fingers get click-happy, my mind starts looking for constant stimulation: More pictures! More updates! More funny sayings! More inspiring thoughts! More Bible verses! More politics! As valuable a tool as it is, it’s just as important to stay away. Observe the fourth commandment. Give yourself a digital holiday. Social networking gives me plenty of reason to pray. I can zap a prayer or two while I’m online, but hey, I need to be offline for my soul’s heavy-lifting. I don’t think I’ve ever been missed.
