Prayer is an essential spiritual discipline in the lives of Christians. It’s how we speak to God, take up spiritual battleground against the devil, and bring God’s Kingdom here to earth. That’s why some Christians use prayer necklaces to remind them of God’s presence and the power in prayer.
What is a Christian prayer necklace? A Christian prayer necklace is a necklace used as a reminder for Christians to pray throughout their day. It usually has a Bible verse inscribed on it or is in the shape of a cross, so that Christians can memorize scripture and pray it over their lives and the lives of others.
Although Christian prayer necklaces are by no means required for salvation, they are a great way to focus on God and supplement our faith with goodness, plus they add a little bit of fun and bling to our daily lives.
What Christian Prayer Necklaces Are Not
It’s important to know what Christian necklaces are not so that we don’t become legalistic about our faith. There is no verse in the Bible that says we have to wear prayer necklaces, and their purpose is not to remind us that we aren’t praying enough, but that we get the privilege to pray to our Father in heaven who loves us.
Christian Prayer Necklaces Are Not Rosaries or Prayer Beads
In the Catholic faith, Catholics use rosaries or prayer beads to memorize prayers to Jesus, ask him for favors, and honor the Virgin Mary. As Christians, we don’t worship Jesus’ mother Mary, because we know that Jesus alone saves us from our sins and that He is the Son of God.
Though we are called to stay alert in our prayers, we don’t have to rely on a rosary to say them all in order or worry about saying them correctly so that God will answer us. All we need in our prayers is faith in Jesus Christ.
We can trust that the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth, with or without a prayer necklace.
Christian Prayer Necklaces Are Not A Way To Earn God’s Love Or Favor
Similar to using rosaries, other religions also use prayer bead necklaces as a way to earn favor from their gods. It’s a sad reality because as Christians we know that salvation comes from Jesus, and there’s nothing we could ever do to make Him love us any more or any less.
God is an infinite God, which means that he loves us infinitely. We don’t have to earn his love or favor by praying enough or doing enough.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
How Christians Use Prayer Necklaces
There is no special formula or a certain type of necklace that makes our prayers more effective, but some Christians still use them because they already know that God hears their prayers.
Even if God doesn’t answer your prayers in the exact way you want, you can know that God hears you and He wants your heart.
Christians Use Prayer Necklaces As A Reminder Of God’s Presence
Being in God’s presence is the ultimate desire of a Christian. God wants to take us under his wing, he wants to give us peace and rest with him even in the most chaotic times.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 NIV
How great then, would it be to have a tangible, visible reminder of this? That’s why Christians use prayer necklaces, especially ones with Bible verses on them.
Christians Use Prayer Necklaces For Scripture Memorization
Both praying and memorizing scripture are key spiritual disciplines in a Christian’s life. The Bible tells us to meditate on God’s word and hide it away in our hearts, so why not hide it away in a locket or on a necklace, so that we can remember God’s promises in scripture?
God’s word is powerful, it is living and active, it will never fail, and it accomplishes God’s will, never returning with nothing to show for it. That’s why when we pray, praying scripture over our lives is the most powerful thing we can do.
So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 NIV
The name of Jesus and faith in his word makes the devil flee, it protects us, and encourages us no matter what is going on in our lives.
That’s why Christians use prayer necklaces to memorize scripture and meditate on it throughout their daily lives.
Christians Use Prayer Necklaces To Worship God Through Intentionality
Prayer necklaces can be used as a way to worship God by being intentional with personal style and personality. You can use even the design of the necklace to remind you of memory with God or of one of his attributes.
Whether you simply have a cross necklace, one with images on it, or prefer gold to silver or vice versa, a prayer necklace could be a great way to worship God through being intentional with style and design.
Christians Use Prayer Necklaces As A Reminder To Pray For Others
Another way that prayer necklaces can be used is by praying for others whenever you put them on.
Putting a picture, bible verse, or something inside a locket to remind you of a friend or loved one could be a great, intentional way to start praying for them.
I even know of people who have worn necklaces with a globe at the end or a country on it to remind them to pray for the nations and for certain people groups around the world. Doing this reminds us of how Jesus told us to pray, that God might send workers out into the harvest field to preach the gospel.
Whoever it is you’re praying for, prayer necklaces can help you get into the habit of praying for them more often and with more intentionality.
The Purpose Of Christian Prayer Necklaces
Christian prayer necklaces are not required for salvation, or for faith in Jesus. You don’t have to pray in a certain way or pray a certain amount to make God love you any more than he already does.
Prayer necklaces are meant to help you build a habit of praying with intentionality and purpose because we know that prayer allows God to move in your life, in the spiritual realm, and even in the lives of others.
Because prayer necklaces can be all types of different designs and styles, and carry different Bible verses or images, they are a unique and fun way of reminding you to pray and worship God.
Where To Purchase Prayer Necklaces
The best place I found to purchase a Christian prayer necklace is Etsy. They have a wide variety of homemade necklaces and some of them can be customized. They also have a wide price ranges from cheaper metal necklaces to ones made with real silver or gold.
If we are meant to worship God in everything that we do, why not worship him by simply wearing necklaces for His purposes? Through this act of spiritual discipline in worship and prayer, we can use even Christian prayer necklaces for our good and His glory.