Camp in the Community

Those who understand how to keep score bowling. Riding your favorite horse on the carousel. Being able to ride the carousel a second time. Counting the stars as they come out at night.  Walking in the rain and liking it. Winks between lovers. Your child's smile when handed the championship trophy. The Lord knocking out your spiritual adversary while your sitting on the sidelines. The friend with whom you can share your triumphs. The friend with whom you can share a disappointment. House plants that bloom in the winter. Romance, innocent, and sweet. The majestic fjords of western Norway.

Help me, O God, to be a good and true friend: to be always loyal, and never to let my friends down; never to talk about them behind their backs in a way I would not do before their faces; never to betray a confidence or talk about the things about which I ought to be silent; always to be ready to share everything I have: to be true to my friends as I would wish them to be to me.This I ask for the sake of him who is the greatest and truest of all friends, for Jesus' sake.Amen

(taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson

Antique sterling silver spoons.The feeling of a sillk scarf tied softly around your neck. Extra special occasions.  Acres of redbud trees. Ice. Southern Blue "fairy" penguins returning home to their South Australian rookeries by the light of the full moon.  Christian believers in Jamaica. Belly laughs with long-standing friends.  Freedom from sticky wickets. The court of appeals. The fun of splashing in a pool. The diligent. Warm apple turnovers. Shooting under par. Sharing a sunset without words. Being ahead of the count. Evil being down for the count. Concessions made out of love.

Fruit and nuts and berries, growing ripe and sweet, vegetables and golden corn all for us to eat.

Rich food in its plenty, picked and stored away, while others in their countries are starving every day.

Mothers in the market, choosing what to eat, perhaps a rich fruit pudding for a special treat.

In heats of Ethiopia, little grows on land.  

A mother looks at the food for the day which only fills one hand.

In lands of drought and hunger no more, dear Lord, we pray will mothers ask the question which child to feed today?

Specificity in prayer. Perserverance in prayer. Timeliness in prayer. Boldness in prayer. Twelve hour work days that don't seem long. The reward for those who have left all to follow Jesus. Those who leave no stone unturned. Bloody noses that stop bleeding. The daily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ in our hearts. Getting to the airport on time when you get stuck in traffic. Your favorite hym sung on Sunday morning when you're feeling down. Good next door neighbours for thirty years. The white sand of an unspoiled Tahitians beach. Whirlpool baths. Fellow Christians in Maine.

Thank you Lord, that we can run and jump.

Thank you that we can drive and swim.

Thank you for desigingin our bodies so that we can play all kinds of games.

Thank  you for the good feelings we have when we have exercised well.

Help us to keep oru bodies fit and healthy.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson

Images from Google.ca

Excerpts from 10,000 things to Praise God for (by Jan Dargatz)

Dear Lord,

You made a beautiful world for us to live in.

Forgive us when we harm the things you created for us to enjoy - the fresh streams and rivers, the trees and green fields.

Help us to preserve and protect everything you made and to stop those who selfishly destroy it.

Amen.

Making it when you come to the make-or-break juncture. Freedom from overdrafts. One more day to live. Linen napkins. The reward due to the meek. Beautiful stationery. Neighbourhood softball games. Racks of Christ honouring books in grocery stores.  Biodegradable products.  Things with pizzazz. Grocery sacks that don't break. Friends with whom you can admit your mistakes. Sobriety. Freedom from claustrophobia. Land planners. A jumping horse that clears the fence. Finding the perfect wedding dress. Freedom from losing your lnotes. Optimal timing.  The spice of life. 

Thank you God that you love us and care for us,

Thank you that we are able to praise you when we like.

Thank you that you are always  there when we need you, and that you always hear our prayers.

Thank you for helping us with our problems and that you never go away.

Emma Ridgers (aged 13)

(Taken from 365 Children's Prayers by Carol Watson