Toast, Tea and Dishes

Grab the Moment - #1

Hi friends

We’re starting a new series called, ‘Grab the moment’. Navigating daily life has become increasingly challenging for me since my Dad had a fall three weeks ago. Since then I’ve been providing a regular routine of night shifts as well as daytime support intermixed with my own other committments. Nothing happens quickly in our health system but we do have some additional support outside of family appearing on the horizon. In the meantime, I’m scrambling to keep on top of things including attempts to get an edition of 5 Senses Virtual Prayer Room out to you.

All of this chaos doesn’t stop me praying though. As I boiled the jug to make a cup of tea yesterday I was struck by the idea of how I personally grab the moments to pray, and maybe this is something I can share with you. There are always moments in a day when time suspends just a little, and there’s enough space to pause to pray. I’m nto sure how I’d survive without grabbing these moments. They’ve been a mainstay in the chaos of my life over these last few years.

These prayers are not tidy and finished or even publication ready… they’re starter ideas based on when I pray and what I pray. I invite you to add to the prayers and change them and make them your own as you grab your own moments in the calm or chaos of your own daily schedules. I’m thinking we’ll run this series for the next four weeks. Slightly shorter than usual, but hopefully still a little bit of sensory based prayer inspiration.

I pray to you, Lord!
    Please listen.
Don't hide from me
    in my time of trouble.
Pay attention to my prayer
    and quickly give an answer.

Psalm 102:1-2 (CEV)

We begin with prayers around breakfast preparation. I don’t know about you, but my breakfast routine involves multi-tasking. There’s the dishwasher to clear from the previous evening, my lunch to be packed to take to work, lunch prep or instructions to be left for my daughter, while simulataneously boiling the jug to make a cup of tea, cutting fruit to put on top of my muesli and yoghurt or if I’m in a hurry to get out the door, putting two slices of bread into the toaster and pushing down the lever.

What if all of these tasks were opportunities for prayer? Both the jug boiling and the toaster toasting have a timed period connected to the task. The other tasks in my morning are interruptable, although for efficiency it’s better if I stick to them and get them done. I find I let one task take my full attention for three minutes, focussing on the order, repetition and familiarity of the task, letting my senses guide me and ground me as I focus on the smells, sights, touch, taste and sounds. This in turn allows the task to become an opportunity to pray.

Below are some prayer ideas based on my own breakfast routine. I’ve got one idea above the paywall, but as a thank you to my generous apaid members, I’ve put the other three below the paywall.

May our God be with you through your joys and troubles, your calm and chaos, and the order and routines of your mornings, your days and your evenings.

On the journey

Caroline

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Boil the jug prayer

Watch or listen to the jug boil. Think of the things where there’s some heat or pressure expected in the day ahead. Talk to God about the day and the heat from the challenges ahead.