As a family, we've always tried to pray at meals. I say 'tried' because when our children were all really little it was a challenge to even EAT a meal cohesively, let alone remember to pray over crying babies! As the children have grown, so has our mealtime routine. Things are much more settled and we enjoy more structure. I love praying around the table but the problem for me was this – the prayers became repetitive and a little, well, stale. I didn't want to 'pray mindlessly'. I really wanted to find a way to incorporate authentic, meaningful prayer into our meal time grace.

I'm not sure where I thought of this idea. I'm sure I didn't actually "think of it" – I probably saw it somewhere at sometime. I've incorporated our own version of the “Prayer Box” into our family life and we love it!

Every time we hear of a need or a prayer request comes through our church request emails or something just comes into our hearts and minds, we write it down. I cut out small rectangular pieces of cardstock and put them in a drawer where they are easily accessible.

So far we've written all kinds of things on the prayer cards. Names of people who need healing, people we love and care about, countries on our hearts, ministries we love and support.

At the beginning of a meal, the children take turns pulling a prayer card out of the box and we then add that item to our prayers for that meal.

Having a prayer time at meals is a simple, yet very meaningful family activity. It has really enriched those simple, quiet times spent together as a family. What a beautiful way to pray for others and inspire our children to do the same.

In love,

Cassandra

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