It can be easy to overlook the myriad of ways God provides for us daily. Our minds are often preoccupied with future plans or current worries, leaving little room for reflection on Their ongoing divine interventions. I know this has been true of my life, which is why I love having tangible reminders to draw me out of my mind and back into the present moment with Source (especially when I am facing grief).
Jennifer’s Ebenezer stones
You know how you can read over the same Bible verses many times, and different things stick out for you in different seasons? That's how it was for me when I first discovered the Ebenezer stones in 1 Samuel. I was in a season of grief and wondering where God was.
Learning about the Ebenezer stones reminded me that God is always faithful to us and that bringing my focus back to where I AM has been faithful in the past could help me to remain hopeful for Their continued help. By establishing my own "stones of help," I could create a visible and tangible reminder of God's ongoing provision and support.
The Concept of Ebenezer Stones
The term "Ebenezer" comes from 1 Samuel 7:12, where after a significant victory over the Philistines, the prophet Samuel set up a stone and named it Ebenezer, which means "stone of help." This stone was intended to be a physical reminder for the Israelites of God's assistance and deliverance. Whenever they passed by the stone, they were reminded of God's protection and guidance.
So grateful for God’s gift of the prayer garden on my patio
Modern-Day Ebenezer Stones
Incorporating the concept of Ebenezer stones into our lives can provide similar reminders of God's ongoing faithfulness. Being a "naturalist," I wanted to create something out of earth elements, physical stones. Something I could physically walk past and be reminded when I saw it.
I purchased a set of black river rocks, a glass vase, and a gold paint pen. Knowing this was an ongoing project, I started looking for places where God was at work in my life. When something came to mind, I would write down a word on the rock to represent God's work in my life, and place it in the glass vase (which sits in my living room where I pass by it often). Then, I would write that word down in a journal with a brief description and date of the occurrence.
Here are several ways you can create a modern-day Ebenezer stone:
1. A Journal of Gratitude
Maintaining a gratitude journal dedicated to recording instances of God's provision can serve as a powerful Ebenezer stone. Each entry can document moments of unexpected blessings, answered prayers, or divine interventions. Over time, this journal becomes a testament to God's continuous support, offering encouragement and reassurance during difficult times.
2. A Rock Collection (similar to mine)
Collecting pebbles or small stones from locations where significant moments of divine help were experienced can be a meaningful practice. Each pebble can represent a story of God's intervention or provision. Placing these pebbles in a visible location serves as a constant reminder of God's presence and assistance in our lives.
3. A Photo Album of Blessings
Creating a photo album filled with images of people, places, and events where God's hand was evident can be another form of Ebenezer stone. These photos can capture moments of family unity, job opportunities, or acts of kindness from friends. This visual reminder helps reinforce the awareness of God's faithfulness and provision.
4. A Bracelet of Promises
Wearing a bracelet with charms or symbols that represent specific promises from God can provide a daily reminder of YHWH’s faithfulness. Each charm can symbolize a different aspect of God's provision, such as peace, healing, or protection. This tangible reminder can help maintain focus on God's promises, especially during challenging times.
Looking back, I can see why this practice became so meaningful to me. Remembrance was no longer only something I was doing in my mind. I was giving memory a physical form—something I could touch, see, hold, and return to.
This is part of what I continue to love about embodied and creative spiritual practice. Sometimes the body needs a stone, a ritual, a piece of art, a place in nature—something tangible that helps us remember what we already know but have temporarily forgotten.
I’ve been collecting rocks to add to the jar from all of the times and places where I have experienced God’s faithful care & provision in my life
The Power of Remembrance
Integrating these modern-day Ebenezer stones into our daily lives can become a powerful spiritual practice. They remind us of the places where we have experienced God’s presence, provision, guidance, or care—even when life did not unfold as we expected.
These stones do not promise that difficulty will disappear or that God will always show up in the ways we hope. Rather, they give us something tangible to return to when fear, grief, or uncertainty make it difficult to remember. They invite us back into gratitude, trust, and relationship with the Divine.
Remembrance can also become a communal practice. When we share the stories, places, people, and experiences that have helped us recognize the Sacred in our lives, we help one another remember.
Where have you experienced God’s presence, provision, guidance, or care in your life?
Consider finding a stone and giving that memory a physical form. Write a word, date, place, or symbol on it. Hold it for a moment. Remember the story it carries.
And perhaps ask yourself: What do I need help remembering right now?
If you'd like to practice remembering in community, join us in The Collective, Loto's online community on WhatsApp, where we continue these conversations together.
With Love,
Jennifer
PS- If you are looking for more Ebenezer stone and creative prayer inspirations, be sure to check out our Pinterest boards.
