Camp in the Community

Heavenly Father,

I thank you that you have not given me the spirit of fear, but of power and love.

I let the peace of God rule in my heart - I trust in you, Lord, and you show me the way I should go.

Taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson

Inspiration given to those who invent.  Faith. The ability to taste sweet.  The ability to taste sour. The ambiguity of the colour teal, still pleasing to the eye. Those who are willing to lead the children's choir. Friends with helping hands. Friends with shoulders you can cry on. Friends who show up in crisis times. Solar heating panels. Sewing kits. The aroma of peanuts roasting. Embroidered tea towels. Honest confessions. Freedom from credit cards. Those who go back to college after they retire. Hot beverages that really are. Leisurely strolls. An effective blow against evil.

Dear Father God,

Thank you for the sea and sand, 

for rocks and rambles,

for pools and pebbles,

for shells and swimming,

for paddling and picnics.

I love the spray 

and the foam,

the waves

and the splash.

Thank you for all the fun of the seaside.

(Taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson)

A daily renewal of the spirit of  true joy. Ballet dancers. The laughter of an audience at your jokes.  The illustrations in children's bibles.  Calla lilies.  The return of the egrets to Boynton.  Greek salads with lots of olives and  feta cheese chunks.  Painters. The beautiful scenes one can view on California's Highway 1.  Deep restful sleep that comes at last.  The freedom to splash in rain puddles at your heart's content.  Dry clothes when you decide to come in out of the rain!  The example of St. Thomas.  Well worn prayer books.  Church graveyards.

Father,

It is so difficult to forgive people who have hurt us or our friends. 

We want to hit back - and sometimes we do.

But you taught us to love our enemies no matter what they have done.

Forgive us, Lord, when we do not forgive others.

Help us to understand why people do and say hurtful things - and let our hearts be filled with love for them.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson

The fulfillment of fulfillment. Life preservers. Canterbury Cathedral. Clean headlights. The life and example of St. Andrew. Truth.  Honeysuckle arbors. Sunsets over the Pacific. Party clothes. Finally being able to take off the clip-on bow tie!! Chimes. Fine portrait artists. The keeping of all promises in the Day of the Lord. Wisdom taught of love.  Prayer towers. The deep, soothing mellow tones of a cello.  Fellow Christians in Idaho. Souffles that rise. The wisdom to understand the needs of a friend. The compassion to meet the needs of a friend. 

Dear Lord God,

Sometimes I wonder however you can know everything about all the people in this world. 

There are so many people and many of them live so far apart. 

How do you manage to see us all at the same time and listen to all our prayers? 

Thank you that you do, even if I don't understand how, and thank you that it is possible for every person in the world to know you because you speak to them through their conscience, and through your Word, the Bible.

It's sad that when you speak to people so many don't bother to listen. 

Family forgiveness. Friendship waves of greeting. Flags briskly waving on windy days. Honest politicians. Projects completed by deadline. The quiet when irritating noises stop. Being found when you're lost. Sabbath day that are. Those who are willing to teach Sunday school. The virgin birth. The colour Fuscia. Musicians tuning their instruments of praise. Soap.  Lifeguards. The comfort of wearing flannel pyjamas on the first cold night of autumn. Made-from-scratch spaghetti sauce. The physical discipline acquired through athletic training. Aged cheese.

The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come. 

Songs of Songs 2:11-12

We praise you, Lord, for the beauty of spring. 

We praise you for the new life all around - the fresh, green shoots; the buds slowly opening and the lovely blossom on the trees.

We praise you, Lord, for your promise of new life to all that love and believe in you.

Amen

(taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson)