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Day 6: What then shall we pray?

Day 6: What then shall we pray?

Last updated on: February 25, 2015 at 9:27 pm by MargaretAnne Overstreet

Day 6: What then shall we pray? 2015-02-25T21:27:46-07:00 MargaretAnne Overstreet

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We are beginning to understand just how far-reaching are the issues of food justice. The magnitude and complexity of the issues threatens to either overwhelm or dishearten us. Instead of giving up, we stop to pray.

We pray not only for the people working within our food system, but also for the land and the animals. We pray for those people in need and for those in positions of power.

We ask that our own meals be experiences of grace, and that we be sent out empowered and encouraged for ministries of justice.

Let us pray . . .

God of Wonder,

we clasp hands around this table and offer our gratitude for this food

and for all the hands who helped provide it:

for the hands that grew and harvested it,

for the hands that loaded and unloaded it,

for all the hands that moved it along its journey from farm to table,

and for the hands that prepared it.

We pray for the empty hands that have no food for themselves and their children, that they may be fed;

we pray for the hands of those who shuffle the papers of food policy, that they may use their power on behalf of justice and compassion.

We pray that rich farmland might be protected from both urbanization and pollution;

we pray that farmers and farmworkers might be able to sustain their families through their hard work;

we pray for abundant harvests and for the humane treatment of animals.

We pray for family meal tables around the world,

that they would be a place where people are nourished

and relationships are nurtured

and strangers are welcomed.

May our eyes be opened in this meal and every meal

to the abundance of creation,

the plight of our sisters and brothers in need,

and your call to work against injustice wherever we find it.

May this food nourish our bodies and this fellowship nourish our spirits,

so that we may go out from this place empowered to do justice.

We pray these things in Jesus name. Amen.

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Lenten Calendar for FEBRUARY 24

Write a mealtime prayer, offering your thanks and asking for God’s blessing.

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We need your stories!

We’re already looking ahead to the 40 Days for Food Justice Project for 2016 and we’re looking for more stories, experiences, prayers and resources about food justice and food injustice.
If you would like to contribute – or would like to recommend a contributor – please send us an email and let us know.

About:

In addition to being the founder and editor-in-chief of the “40 Days for Food Justice Project”, the Rev. MargaretAnne Overstreet is a mom, a Presbyterian pastor, and a certified Health Coach. She does ministry with and among the good people of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Belleville, Illinois, where she gets her hands dirty in the community garden and, every Sunday, preaches with bare feet. She treasures family time, relishes every opportunity to teach and write about food justice, and loves to play outside with her dogs. Find out more about her at www.AnInBetweenPlace.com

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