| RPM, Volume 14, Number 29, July 15 to July 21, 2012 |
Herein is a sample of a few ofthe Prayers available in a new book, entitled, Family MealtimePrayers: Scripture Prayers for All Ages and Occasions. This is avaluable resource for family worship. A complete copy of thisresource may be purchased at: FamilyMealtime Prayers.
Endorsements:
“TheScriptures and the church have a long and admirable history of usingwritten prayers for occasions like public worship, special events,and personal devotion. “Family Mealtime Prayers” is a wonderfulcontribution to this tradition. It gives parents and children freshways to express their thankfulness to God, and helps them see hisprovision against the backdrop of many different biblical truths.” Dr.Richard L. Pratt, Jr., author of PrayWith Your Eyes Open,Designedfor Dignity,and HeGave Us Prophets;Founder and President of Third Millennium Ministries."Mealtime prayers, formost of us, are rather perfunctory, a ritual to be observed andseldom from the heart. The authors have done us a great service inproviding for us a book of Scripture-based prayers for mealtimes thatturn our hearts toward God. I heartily recommend this book.”JerryBridges, author of The Pursuit of Holiness.“…I'm grateful for FamilyMealtime Prayers—a welcome corrective to halfhearted tableroutines. The book is relentlessly Godward, with worship andthanksgiving reverberating throughout its pages. I warmly recommendit."Matt Smethurst, Editor, TheGospel Coalition.“These prayers speak to theheart of today's children and adults, confronting them with theclaims of Christ, and encouraging them with the promises of God'sword, and will open wide the door to continued conversation withGod.” Rev.Ed Graham, Pastor-In-Residence, Billy Graham Training Center,Asheville, NC.
IntroductionHave youever been in a rut? They're not very easy to escape, are they? Onerut most of us are in is the rut of themealtimeprayer. We tend to say the same thing to God every time we ask theblessing at a meal with our family or friends. Maybe it's, "Blessthis food to our bodies and us to your service," or "God isgreat, God is good, and we thank him for our food." Whateveryour prayer rut might be, this book has been written for you.
Theseprayers are meant to be used around the breakfast, lunch, or dinnertable. They are based upon the Word of God, the Bible. The prayersare full of variety to help you get out of your rut. They are alsofull of truth that is as nourishing as the food before you. As yousit down with your family each day, you can select one of the prayersoffered in this book. After you have finished eating, read anddiscuss the Scripture passages associated with the prayer. Reflect onGod’s Word and what it means to you. In the children’s sections,the Scripture verses are provided for you. Read them to your childrenand encourage them to memorize these verses that were selected justfor them.
We praythat God would use these mealtime prayers to renew your prayer lifeand draw you to a closer relationship with him.
AdultPrayers
Day1Weare made right with God when we believe in Christ.Wethank you, Father, that you did not spare even your own Son, but gavehim up for us all as the sacrifice for our sins. Though he wasinnocent of sin, he sacrificed his life for us and freed us from thepenalty of sin. Thank you for declaring us right with you throughfaith in Christ alone. Bless this food to the nourishment of ourbodies, and us to your service, through Jesus our Lord. Amen. (Romans8:32; Romans 3:24-25)
Day2Godis our refuge and strength.Thankyou, Lord, for being our refuge and strength, always ready to help usin times of trouble. We never need to fear if we put our hope in you.You are the source of all our joy. Thank you for pouring out yourunfailing love on us each day. We give you glory and praise for allyour gifts, including the food before us this day. Help us to eat anddrink to your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. (Psalm 46)
Day3Christoffered himself up for us as a fragrant offering to God.Thankyou, Father, for pouring out on Christ the punishment that wedeserved. Thank you, Jesus, for loving us so much, that you gaveyourself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to yourFather. Thank you for delivering us from sin and allowing us to beforgiven. Thank you for the food set before us this day. In Jesus’name. Amen. (Ephesians 5:2)
Prayersfor Children (ages 5-12)Day1Helpme to always pray.DearGod, you have given us many things to be thankful for, like our home,our food, and our family. We especially thank you for eternal lifethrough Jesus. No matter how hard life gets, help us to alwaysrejoice in you and talk with you about everything in prayer. Pleasebless this food in Jesus’ name. Amen. 1Thessalonians 5:16-17 ESV Rejoice always, pray withoutceasing,
Day2Helpme to be nice.DearGod, thank you for loving us even when we disobey you. Please helpour family to be nice to others even when they are mean to us. Andespecially help us to be nice to our family and those around thistable. Please bless this food you have given to us. In Jesus’ namewe pray. Amen.1Thessalonians 5:15 NLT See that no one pays back evil for evil, butalways try to do good to each other and to all people.
Day3Godmade me beautiful.ThankYou, Lord, for making each of us beautiful. We are the works of yourhands, and your works are wonderful. All that you do is good, and younever make mistakes. We thank you for making this food that we areabout to eat. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Psalm139:13-15 NIV84 For you created my inmost being; you knit me togetherin my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully andwonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secretplace; When I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
ScripturePrayers for Little OnesDay1Youmade this day.DearGod, I thank you for making this day just for me. I will be happytoday because you love me. Thank you for my food. Please bless metoday. Bless Mommy and Daddy too. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.Psalm118:24 NLT This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and beglad in it.
Day2Iwill obey.Thankyou, Jesus, for Mommy and Daddy. Thank you that they love me and takecare of me. Help me to obey them. That is the right thing to do.Please bless my family and bless my food. Amen. Ephesians6:1 ICB Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants. This isthe right thing to do.
Day3Yougive me food.DearJesus, I thank you for my food. I thank you for good things to eatand drink. Help me to grow strong and be healthy. Please give food tochildren who are hungry. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.Psalm107:9 NLT For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with goodthings.
Holiday Prayers
GoodFriday Thesacrifice of Jesus Christ has taken away our sins. DearFather, it is because of your Son, Jesus Christ, that we can have arelationship with you. When he sacrificed his life on the crossand shed his blood, he offered forgiveness to all who believein him. His blood washes away our sins and makes us righteousbefore you, so that we may come into your presence with clean hearts.Thank you that through Jesus Christ you have taken away the sin ofthe world. Thank you for your grace and mercy and love.Please bless this food. In Jesus’ name we humbly pray. Amen.Romans3:25 NLT For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People aremade right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life,shedding his blood.
John 3:16 ESV For God so loved theworld, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in himshould not perish but have eternal life.
APrayer for Children Thankyou, Father, for you Son who gave his life for everyone. Jesus tookour sins away, so we can live in heaven someday. He died for me - Iknow it’s true, so I will put my trust in you. Thank you for ourfood today. Bless us now, dear Lord, I pray. In Jesus name, amen.
Easter
Theresurrection of Christ gives us hope for eternal life.
DearFather, we rejoice today because of the empty tomb. Death couldnot contain our Savior! Thank you for raising your Son from thedead so we can have the hope of eternal live. Lord, we havebeen forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ, and have been givennew life through his resurrection. We give you praise and glorytoday for this unspeakable gift. Help us to live in newness of lifeeach day and in gratitude for the gift of salvation and hope ofeternal life. Please bless our family and this food that we areabout to eat. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Acts2:24 NIV But God raised him from the dead, freeing him fromthe agony of death, because it was impossible for death tokeep its hold on him.
1 Peter 1:3 NIV Praise be to theGod and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy hehas given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection ofJesus Christ from the dead.
APrayer for Children
Thankyou, Lord, for Easter Day; the angel rolled the stone away. Thank youfor the life you gave. Thank you for the empty grave. Hallelujah!Jesus lives! What a special day this is! Lord, we give our praise toyou. Bless us, Lord, in all we do. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Mother’sDay Awoman who fears God will be praised. Thankyou, Lord, for mothers. We honor them today and are grateful forwhat they mean to us. Thank you for mothers who care for littleones, who love and nurture growing children, and who always havea listening ear. Thank you for their unselfish ways anddedication to their families. Please bless them today andlet them know how much they are loved and appreciated.Please help every mother to find her strength and joy inyou. Thank you for this food and for our family. We ask your blessingin Jesus’ name. Amen.
Proverbs23:25NIV May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave youbirth be joyful!
Proverbs 31:30 NLT Charm is deceptive, andbeauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatlypraised.
APrayer for Children Lord,thank you for our Mother. Please keep her in your care. Thank you forher special love and for the home we share. Give her peace andhappiness; give her health and rest. Thank you for our family, for weare truly blessed. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
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