Families

Graces

For This Day

For this day,
For this food,
For those gathered at this table,
We offer thanks.
Amen.

All Good Gifts

(Chorus from “We Plough the Fields,” Voices United 520)
All good gifts around us are sent from heaven above;
We thank you, God, O holy God, for all your love.
Amen.

This Day You Give to Us

(Suggested tune: “Farmer in the Dell”)
This day you give to us,
This day you give to us,
We thank you God, we thank you God,
This day you give to us.
This food you give to us,
This food you give to us,
We thank you God, we thank you God,
This food you give to us.
Your love you give to us…

For Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany

Hymn Verses

During this season, sing or read a verse from a relevant hymn as your grace. Invite different members of the family to suggest a hymn they would like to use.

For example,

• During Advent: a verse from “Hope Is a Star” (Voices United 7)
• On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and during the season of Christmas: verse 3 of “Down to Earth, as a Dove” (VU 42) or a verse from “Joy to the World” (VU 59), “Away in a Manger” (VU 69), or “’Twas in the Moon of Wintertime” (VU 71)
• During the season after Epiphany (begins January 6): a verse from “A Light Is Gleaming” (VU 82), “I Am the Light of the World” (VU 87), or “The First Nowell” (VU 91)

God of Sunlight

God of sunlight glistening on snow
God of melodies and favourite carols
God of friends and families reaching out through cards
God of sparkling trees and radiant homes
God of holy days, holidays, and all our days
We are thankful for the beauty of this season
God of trembling lips and saddened hearts
God of gently falling tears and heartfelt sobs
God of loved ones gone and memories cherished
God of forgotten dreams and broken relationships
God of holy days, holidays, and all our days
We remember all who grieve and are sad in this time of festivities.
God of holy days, holidays, and all our days
Surround us with your comforting and challenging presence
Guide us in our daily living
That we may embrace the joys and the sorrows
Knowing that you are always with us.
We pray.
Amen.

Bedtime Prayers

Good Night

As the day winds down, take some time to think about all the things you wish to say good night to before going to sleep. For example:
Good night Marg (or name of family member/friend).
Good night work (or play/toys/favourite stuffed animal).
Good night moon.
Good night stars.
Good night God.
Thank you for today.
Amen.

Creator of This Day

Creator of this day,
I thank you for the joys and the challenges of this day.
Creator of this night,
I place myself in your loving care.
Thank you for your presence with me this day and this night.
Amen.

Variation of “Now I Lay Me Down..”

Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray dear God my dreams to keep;
May love stay with me through this night,
And wake me with the morning light.
God bless…
Amen.

Thank You God for Me!

Thank you God for me!
For hands that hold and legs that move,
For laughter that bubbles and tears that flow,
For thoughts that soar and feelings that grow,
For ears that hear and eyes that see,
For all of me.
Thank you.

Prayers

Today, Dear God

Use the verse of a favourite hymn as a prayer. Sing or say the words and be still with them, seeing whether you hear or experience any word or phrase in a new way, and taking a few moments to offer your thoughts to God.

Today,
Dear God,
Guide my thoughts and my words.
Guide my work and my play.
Keep me present in the moment,
And open to your presence.
Help me to live fully today.
Amen.