Family Faith and Fun Fridays: How to Invigorate Your Family’s Meal Time Prayers
For the word of God is alive and
powerful. It is sharper than the
sharpest two-edged sword, cutting
between soul and spirit, between joint marrow. It exposes our innermost
thoughts and desires.
-Hebrews 4:12
Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays!
As the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows out of something the Lord has been teaching me through the scriptures.
Are you ready for some family fun? We’d love to have you join us as we
seek to fan the flames of faith and let the Word of Christ to have the run
Doodling Prayers
(Because you don’t have to pray with your eyes closed)
I’m always on the look-out for ways to
keep our family’s faith walk from growing
rote or insincere.
One of the spiritual disciplines that spirals
quickly into mechanical worship around
our house is meal-time prayer.
When the kids begin to pray the same lines over and over again in monotone super-speed, I know it’s time to infuse some fresh energy into our prayers. Hungry tummies don’t necessarily grumble for intimate conversation with God.
But hungry hearts do.
To enhance my children’s appetites for prayer, I often invite them to talk to God in new and different ways.
One of our favorite ways to pray around the dinner table is by doodling our praises and requests.
This simple activity usually keeps my hungry crew from focusing on their
dinner-time impatience, and it inspires creative conversation with
the One who can fill their souls.
I keep a roll of plain white
butcher paper on hand just for
this event.
Then, when we want to doodle
our prayers, I simply cover
the entire length of our table
with paper (think humble
tablecloth here), and set out
crayons right next to the
silverware!
Sometimes, instead of butcher paper, we use white paper place mats. This cuts down on the arguments over drawing space and elbow room, too!
(You can buy these place mats in bulk at any paper warehouse or party supply store).
I usually draw out my prayers as I set the table and then have the kids get started doodling while I’m putting the final touches on our meal.
That way, the food doesn’t grow cold while we “pray.”
Once everyone is finished, we take time
to share our prayers aloud and
end collectively with a happy AMEN!
For more great ideas on how to revitalize your family’s prayer times, check out one of my favorite books by Mike and Amy Nappa, Creative Family Prayer Times.In the meantime, why not doodle a love note to the One who loves to listen to your heart.
And if you have a moment, tell us….
What’s your favorite way to pray?
