Do prayers simply fly away into the wind? That’s the idea behind these small Buddhist prayer flags displayed outside a Japanese temple. Mantras (meditative slogans), religious symbols, and personal wishes are inscribed on each piece of cloth. The wind is believed to carry the blessings and prayers written on the ribbons to others, promoting peace, compassion, and good fortune. The lion represents the Buddha’s strength and influence to empower the prayers.
Christians trust God to forgive our sins because Christ lived and died for us, and rose from the grave to assure us that we will rise, too. That’s why we pray…
…to our Father ( …by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” [Philippians 4]),
…in the name of Jesus our Savior (…my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” [John 16]),
…with confidence in our Lord’s response (“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine . . . to him be glory” [Ephesians 3]).