Chicken Pot Pie

        There is so much I want to do with my life.  Everyday is a battle against fatigue.  But I do plan for days of rest before and after scheduled commitments.  There are two things that I do enjoy doing that make me feel like I am making a contribution to the community and to the Kingdom—cooking and writing prayers.  

        On Wednesday, 16^th February, I spent the day cooking for the Alpha Course at St. Mary’s Church of England, Langley Parish.  I did a two-course meal of chicken pot pie and apple up-side down cake. Often when I cook for other people, I do a lot of praying.   I always pray about what to fix, pray during the prepartion of the food, while I’m fixing it and then prayers of thanksgiving when it is enjoyed.  I was aching and tired by the time I finished on Wednesday—but truly did enjoy the creativity and the results.  

        This morning it was time to focus on writing the prayer

Apple Upside Down Cake

for the monthly Family Service which is held at 9:30 a.m. for families with young children.  The challenge is writing something that is meaningful, yet simple enough for a five-year-old to grasp the meaning of as well.  This month the topic is prayer—with the service built upon the prayer that Jesus taught us to pray.  I’m posting the prayer I wrote for Sunday here for your consideration.  

Talking to God

Reader:  Jesus taught us; “This then is how you should pray.”

Response:  Father, help to know what this prayer means and live it.

Reader: 

Our Father in Heaven:

Father:  You, Who created us to be like you—a spirit.  You sent us Jesus—God, The Created, becoming like us, God in a body of flesh and blood.  Jesus called you “Abba”, which means “Daddy.”  You are God in Heaven Who knows all that we need and cares tenderly for us.

Reader:  Jesus taught us; “This then is how you should pray.”

Response:  Father, help to know what this prayer means and live it.

Reader: 

Hallowed be Your name:  Your Name is Holy.  You deserve our thanks, our devotion, our admiration and even our lives.  Help us to worship you for Who you are—not just for what You do for us. 

Reader:  Jesus taught us; “This then is how you should pray.”

Response:  Father, help to know what this prayer means and live it.

Reader: 

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

 Abba, Daddy, teach us how to be like you:

Forgiving;

Generous;

Kind;

Patient;

And able to accept the weakness and faults of others, whilst still seeing the best in them. 

By following the example of Jesus, we can see how to do what you want us to do;

So that others can see and learn about You. 

By the power of Your Holy Spirit, whom you sent to livewithin us, Your will is done on earth—in the same way that you are worshipped and obeyed in heaven.

Reader:  Jesus taught us; “This then is how you should pray.”

Response:  Father, help to know what this prayer means and live it.

Reader: 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Father, sometimes it is easy to take for granted what we have been blessed with—food to eat, clothes to wear, the listening ear of a good friend, comfort when we are hurt, the healing sound of a child’s laughter.  Each day You provide for us—sometimes in surprising ways.  Help us to not worry about the future—but rest in knowing that exactly what is needed today will be given to us. 

Reader:  Jesus taught us; “This then is how you should pray.”

Response:  Father, help to know what this prayer means and live it.

Reader: 

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors

Father, when we get hurt and feel as though someone owes us something, help us come to You and share our bad feelings—You can help us to let go of anger, resentment, fear.  Sometimes we get angry about situations—because we don’t know exactly who is at fault.  When we feel that others have taken advantage of us—been unjust and unkind—let us remember everything that Jesus suffered on the cross so that You would let go of our debt to you.  Let us find the courage to say, “If Jesus can forgive me for everything bad that I have done, then I too can forgive anyone else who has done wrong to me.” 

Reader:  Jesus taught us; “This then is how you should pray.”

Response:  Father, help to know what this prayer means and live it.

Reader: 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one

Father, life is like a race.  Temptations are like hurdles we must jump over in order to keep running. Sometimes the race seems too long and the things that get in our way seem too big and too many.  Father, help us know that You will always give us wisdom, strength and courage to face the things that are meant to make us stumble and fall.  Yet, because we are only human, we will trip, we will fall.  At these times You send us grace to get up and get back into the race of life.  Your Presence is always with us and you will not allow Satan to ruin us.  What Satan would use to destroy us, is often turned around by You, using it for our good.  You are so amazing.  Thank you

Reader:  Unite our hearts to be like yours.  For the sake of Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Amen

Serving Jesus, Author of our faith.