Words of Welcome
Prayer
Dear God, we thank you for this meal and the joy of sharing it with friends. We ask that you bless this food to nourish our bodies and conversations to uplift our spirits. May our time together be filled with laughter, love, and meaningful connection. We are grateful for your presence in our lives and for the gift of community. Amen.
GRAB FOOD AND START TO EAT
If there is someone you don’t recognize at your table Introduce yourself:
Name and Pronouns
What do you do full time? Work, school, etc. and what do you do/study?
If you could have an unlimited supply of one thing, what would it be?
“Stop trying to be prayer famous”
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 6:5-14 (MSG)
Pray with Simplicity
5 “And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for fifteen minutes of fame! Do you think God sits in a box seat?
6 “Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.
7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what’s best—
as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
14-15 “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.
Questions:
Why do you think people feel the need to make prayer so performative?
What does prayer look like for you? Do you pray out loud? With others? In your head? Through journaling? Through meditation?
Are there any written prayers that are particularly meaningful to you?
What are some ways you could strengthen your relationship with prayer?
Blessing
May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
REMEMBER - YOU ARE A GIFT!
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