How easy it is to forget important dates and events that mean so much as they are happening, whether it’s an answer to a prayer or a life-saving event. That was the case with Joshua when he was leading God’s people into the hill country of Jericho (Joshua 3-5).
Jericho was a dangerous city, and their lives were at risk. They needed to cross the Jordan River in the presence of their enemies, and the only way they could accomplish that was through divine intervention. God pushed back the waters and allowed them to cross on dry ground. That was certainly an event to remember. The question was: How would they remember with all of the other distractions looming over them?
Once they crossed, the Lord told Joshua to have each of the heads of the tribes pick up a large stone in the Jordan and carry it across as a sign. This was to be a memorial, an object that serves as a focus for remembering a person or an event. The Lord wanted them to remember to tell their children about His goodness. He wanted them to never forget how He demonstrated that He was their leader.
No matter how many setbacks and obstacles they would face, the memorial would remind them of God being able to intervene in the darkest situations. Often when we pray it is because we remember God’s faithfulness in our past circumstances, and it gives us the courage to believe that God is able to perform all things. Thus, in a general sense, answered prayers fit the description of memorials.
Simple, everyday things can serve as memorials. Scanning the prayer requests on OurPrayer, I’ve noticed that many of them relate to marriages in need of restoration. I wonder if something like a wedding album could serve as a memorial, a memory of when things were good. Every wedding I have attended has been a beautiful occasion. The bride and groom were so excited about each other… somewhere along the way, some couples forget what that day was like. They forget the commitment that they made before they even reached the altar. Life and marriage can be trying at times, but this is an example of a memorial that can stir some positive emotions.
When I am asked to pray for a marriage, I ask about the couple’s shared memorials. There may be some great memories or pictures that can serve as powerful reminders of why it is worth praying for the marriage.
My prayer point is for all of us to spend some time thinking about the goodness of the Lord and the specific things the Lord has done to lift our spirit. Ask Him to do it again. My prayer today is that God gives us pleasant memories that will help to shape a more hopeful future.
Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the Lord. (Psalm 31:24)
God bless you!
