Lately, I hear people say how much they pray for this and that. I admit I didn’t pray much throughout my life, and yet lately, I find myself praying all the time!

It turns out to be a misperception that praying is tied to any deep religious ritual. So, I’ve been thinking that sharing prayers, gratitude, goodwill, and messages of hope—thoughtfully and inclusively—is something we can practice all year long, not just in December. It could be part of weekly and monthly routines when showing care and love to others.

It seems many of us limit those messages to this month, when we send out holiday greetings with wishes for peace, joy, happiness, health, wealth, and prosperity. We might also include a handwritten message to share how we are praying for good outcomes or holding great wishes and hope for one another, especially when we learn about specific sad situations affecting their loved ones.

And yes, all of these gestures are meaningful and beautiful expressions of care and connection.

But…this type of caring is an etiquette that could be practiced consistently throughout the year. It’s a way to ensure you are sharing love and comfort, and that others’ needs are met.

Prayers don’t have to be religious to be meaningful, regardless of whether you attend church regularly. Now, I understand that prayers are merely a deeply felt expression of care and hope. Religious or not, prayers convey the same core act as saying, “I’m thinking of you, and I want good things for you.” That’s the spirit I wish for you to carry in December and throughout the year.

Here are five reasons prayers and hope for others are a good thing:

1.  A prayer for a loved one strengthens the connection and sense of belonging between us.  We all want to feel seen, heard, and loved. When I tell someone, “I’m keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, I’m saying, “You matter to me.” 
2. Prayers offer emotional support without trying to fix something. Most of us don’t need a lecture or a silver lining when we’re struggling. We need to know someone is willing to stand alongside the other person in comfort and company.  I’ve learned that simple, honest language, such as “I’m holding hope for your peace and strength today,” can be more supportive than any attempt to solve the unsolvable. It acknowledges how hard things can be while still sending a steady beam of care and love.
3. Prayers can respect different beliefs with inclusive language. Good etiquette takes into account the other person’s worldview, regardless of what it is.
4. Prayers nurture resilience in our communities. There’s a ripple effect when we consistently share goodwill.

   In families, friend groups, and even workplaces, genuine expressions of hope can lift the atmosphere and normalize care. When you care enough to pause from your daily work to say to a colleague, “I wish you a speedy recovery from your surgery—and the team is here to help where we can,” that moment of collective intention doesn’t fix everything. Still, it reminds us of how we’re on the same side.

   Not everyone relates to prayer the same way. Even though I am not religious, I do believe in saying I pray for someone all the time.

5. Prayer turns care into action. For me, etiquette isn’t just what we say; it’s what we do next. When I tell someone, “I’m holding you in my thoughts,” it cues me to follow through, to check in, to send a note by (mail, email, or text), to drop off a meal, to take a task off their plate.

And now, I pray daily.  I pray for goodwill and hope, being the different doorways into the same room.  It’s a room of intentional care and love for myself and others.

December and the holiday season are the times to walk through that door for the month, and then to set an intentional plan to enter this room regularly as part of a routine and habit throughout the year. In fact, I entered a calendar item for it as my monthly reminder until the mental muscle is fully developed to remember on my own.    

When we practice sharing prayers and hope, we are, in fact, practicing excellent gratitude and etiquette. Doing so doesn’t just make the holidays kinder. We make our everyday relationships stronger, steadier, and more connected the more we share with others how much we care about their well-being. That’s a tradition I encourage everyone to keep, now, and all year long.

Happy Practicing!