Well Worn
February 17, 2026
My mother prayed for her family. She was Roman Catholic, so she prayed the rosary. The older she got, the more diligent she became to pray for her church and her family. She had a green glass bead rosary that she constantly carried. It was stored in a little leather coin purse that is worn very thin from decades of friction in her handbag or pocket.
This is the rosary I remember growing up. I had been looking for it ever since she went home to be with Jesus and rejoiced when it was recently found. Mom did not just carry it around, she used it. Her neighbors commented on how diligent Mom was when she signed up for an hour of prayer on Friday afternoon. It was inspiring to see her follow-through when they spotted her car in front of the country church along the highway.
Before she retired, Mom had a job in a nearby town that took her about 20 minutes at 5:30 AM. She did not listen to the radio; she prayed the rosary for her family. The drive was enough time to complete one rosary. Since fingering beads was not safe while driving, she used the raised bumps on the steering wheel grip as her beads.
Knowing that my mother was praying for me and my brothers was a comfort to me. Knowing that she was petitioning the Lord for her grandchildren during difficult times was also comforting. When I forgot to pray, she didn’t. When she passed away last July, I expanded my own prayers to cover my brother’s families as well as my own. Carrying on her legacy of praying for our family is meaningful to me.
Many Christian leaders whose ministries I follow have emphasized the dire need in 2026 for believers to pray for this country, to pray for our leaders (whether we agree with them or not), and to pray for the local church. God wants to move and He needs us to partner with Him in prayer to bring that move about. For me, that means I must put down the phone and remote control and pray like never before.
I know a little old woman with a green glass bead rosary who would have risen to that call to prayer. I promise myself that her legacy of prayer will become my legacy too. Amen!
Prayer: Father, Your holy Word says to pray without ceasing, praying continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Jesus told the disciples to always pray and never give up (Luke 18:1). Your Word tells us not to worry, but rather to pray, petition, and thank God in every circumstance (Philippians 4:6). I come before you today in the name of Jesus and petition You for ___________ and ask you to grant it. Thank you so much. Amen.