Cross of Nails

What you will need: A 2” masonry nail, a 2 1/2” masonry nail, and thin wire. All parts are supplied in kit. You may have extra wire.
Tool: Wire snips
What to do: Wire the two nails together to form a cross. Steve says that he forms a loop on the end of the wire to attach it to one nail and then starts wrapping it. The wire forms an X at the junction of the two nails.
Caution: Please make sure there are no sharp “wirey” points that might pierce thin skin. Yes, I know that’s ironic.
To finish: If you are inclined, please say a prayer with the cross to dedicate it to its purpose. Use any prayer you wish, or use this one:

Heavenly father, may the person who prays holding this cross feel the presence of your spirit, the comfort of your love, and the transforming power of prayer. Amen

Thanks!

Inspiration for Prayer (Quotes)

vigil [Latin (= watchful, alert), hypoth. IE wegeli- (lively, alert); akin to Eng. watch

Quotes about prayer:

• Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one ever bothered to ask. Billy Graham
• Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees. Victor Hugo
• Think of prayer less as an activity for God and more as an awareness of God. Seek to live in uninterrupted awareness. Acknowledge His presence everywhere you go. Max Lucado, Today's Christian, November/December 2004
• Even if you did nothing in your meditation but bring your heart back, and place it again in our Lord's presence, though it went away again every time you brought it back, your hour would be very well employed. Francis deSales
• Prayer is the breath of your life which gives you the freedom to go and stay where you wish and to find the many signs which point out the way to a new land. Henri Nouwen, *With Open Hands*
• Prayer puts us on the potter's wheel, reshaping us to be God's vessels. As we beg that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven, we present ourselves to God to do it. from *Churches That Make A Difference*, Olson / Unruh / Sider (Baker, 2002), p. 142
• You may pray for an hour and still not pray. You may meet God for a moment and then be in touch with Him all day. Fredrik Wisloff, *I Believe In the Holy Spirit* (Augsburg)
• But you have to pray. You have to listen to the voice who calls you the beloved, because otherwise you will run around begging for affirmation, for praise, for success. And then you're not free. Henri J. M. Nouwen
• Without prayer we become deaf to the voice of divine love and become confused by the many competing voices asking for our attention When we try to become very still, we often find ourselves so overwhelmed by our noisy inner voices that we can hardly wait to get busy and distracted again. Our inner life often looks like a banana tree full of jumping monkeys! But when we decide not to run away and stay focused, the monkeys may gradually go away because of lack of attention, and the soft gentle voice calling us may gradually make itself heard. Henri J. M. Nouwen

Hints

Because praying for an hour for many may seem like a monumental task, these are suggestions for making this time of prayer more meaningful for you. Remember, these are just suggestions.

• Select a time that you can truly devote to the Lord.
• Choose a place where you can be quiet. Kneel or sit before the Lord.
• Materials you may want to have on hand include the your bible, prayer helps, written prayers, prayer requests from church, your cross of nails and a notebook or prayer journal if you use one.
• You may wish to light a candle.
• Begin by praying:
  For the Lord’s presence to quiet your heart, mind, body, and spirit.
  For the Lord to take the cares and stress of the day from you.
• Several references are listed in the sidebar. You may wish to take advantage of these.