Say A Little Prayer
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Come just as you are, bringing whatever is on your heart today. Take a few moments and allow yourself to just be. Take a couple deep breaths, grab yourself a cup of coffee, light a candle, do something that brings you comfort. Allow yourself to be present in this moment.
Consider the ways that prayer offers a connection between you and God. How might God use that time to mold, teach, and guide you.
Prayer is not asking. It is a longing of the soul. It is daily admission of one’s weakness.
— Mahatma Gandhi
God speaks in the silence of the heart. Listening is the beginning of prayer.
— Mother Teresa
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Food for Thought
I’ve been a pray-er pretty much my entire life.
I grew up praying in church, my family would always pray before big meals (typically recruiting the poor soul that prematurely took a bite of food right as the blessing was about to be said), and I usually fall asleep to my bedtime prayers.
But in recent years, I started incorporating prayer into two other parts of my life – both of which have come with their own lessons and journeys.
The first “prayer addition” has been to pray any time I eat a meal. As I mentioned before, I grew up praying with my family before we ate, but that practice was never something I did on my own. However, a couple years ago, for reasons I can’t really explain, I was sitting down to eat lunch and I felt a gentle nudge to say grace. So I did! And ever since then, whether I’m alone in my home or out with others, I feel that same nudge to say a little prayer of thanks.
This simple practice has come with some cool lessons. Most obviously, it’s been a lesson in appreciation. I don’t always have a feast before me – sometimes it’s just a PB&J – but that is more than a lot of people see in a day, and saying a prayer before I eat has forced me to acknowledge my abundance, no matter what meal is sitting in front of me.
Praying before meals has also been a fun lesson in humility. When I’m alone, it’s no big deal…but it can still feel a little awkward when I’m out in public. I admittedly suffer from “imaginary audience” syndrome, so when I pray by myself in public, I feel like as soon as I bow my head everyone else turns theirs to stare at me. Logically, I know that’s ridiculous, and truly, who cares. And I still haven’t quite navigated the etiquette of saying a prayer when I’m out with others. Do I just “power-down” for a few seconds to pray, wait for a lull in the conversation, make a quick announcement that a prayer is about to happen, invite others to join me?? I’ve tried all the above. As someone who tends to be preoccupied with what others think, this has been a humbling challenge from God to only focus on this moment that we share together and not how anyone else feels about it.
The second “prayer addition” has been a goodnight prayer that I share with my significant other. We started this tradition a couple years ago when I had to move to another state for work. Again, at first it was a little awkward – while our faith is important to both of us, praying together had never been a regular part of our day-to-day. But now, it’s simply what we do. And that seemingly small addition to our routine has been incredibly meaningful. It has helped us stay rooted to one another even as we’ve navigated our relationship across state lines, serving as a signal of our intentionality with one another. And most importantly, it has helped us stay rooted to our relationship with God, both as individuals and as a couple – the God who first showed us how to love, the God who guides us, the God who will comfort us should the distance become too hard. Our goodnight prayer has helped to solidify the foundation of our bond, allowing us to withstand the test that these past couple years have been.
Generally speaking, the act of prayer doesn’t require much – it doesn’t have to take much energy or a lot of time, you simply pause for a few moments to connect with God. However, prayer can offer more than you can imagine – lessons, strength, peace, a life-line, hope, clarity, connection. Prayer is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. It’s a simple way to share time with us, to speak to us, to teach us. If you feel so led today, pray – at any time, for any reason. You never know how God may use it!
Extend the practice of prayer beyond meals and bedtime. Consider saying short prayers while doing everyday tasks like washing dishes, driving, or exercising. These small pauses throughout your day can help you stay centered and mindful of God's presence in all moments, not just the special ones.
Create a dedicated space to document your daily prayers, thoughts, and any lessons you learn from your moments of connection with God. You can note not just the prayers themselves, but also any insights or emotions that arise during those quiet moments. This will help you track your spiritual growth and see how prayer is transforming you over time.
For a printable version of today's reflection Click Here!
Blessing
Listening God,
We are thankful for this simple yet powerful way to connect with you in all moments of life. Teach me to find peace in the small acts of gratitude and to trust you in both the simple and challenging moments. May my words, both spoken and unspoken, reflect your presence in every part of my day.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
How do you think incorporating prayer into everyday moments, like meals or bedtime, can change your perspective on gratitude and connection with God?
How does praying in public make you feel? Do you prefer praying privately or with others? How have you navigated those moments?
How do you think prayer strengthens relationships, whether it's with God, a significant other, or a community?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Ask your kiddo how they feel when you pray before meals or before going to bed. Why do you think it’s important to thank God for the food we eat or the day we’ve had?
Practice saying short, simple prayers as a group. Take turns and encourage each child to share a prayer, even if it's just one sentence.
Ask your kiddos how they think praying with others (like family or friends) can help us feel closer to each other and to God.
Meet This WEek’s Writer...
June Dare Bunce is a native North Carolinian and one of the founders of The Welcome Table. Outside of TWT, she’s been a professional actor for the past sixteen years and has had the honor and pleasure of working as a drama instructor for various organizations and non-profits. When she’s not working on a script or at the office, you can either find her at the gym or on the yoga mat, walking around whatever town she’s living in, or working on the art of relaxing at home (it really is a skill).
To hear more from June throughout the week, follow along on our Instagram!