Meal time activity provides insight into answered prayers.
Things you’ll need:
- Slow cooker
- Ingredients for Taco Soup:
- 1 lb. cooked ground beef
- 1 chopped onion
- 1 16 oz. can of chili beans
- 1 15 oz. can of kidney beans
- 1 15 oz. can of corn
- 1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
- 2 14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes
- 1 package of taco seasoning mix
- 1 – 4 oz. can of diced green chili peppers
- 1 package of ranch dip mix
Faith Talk: In our fast-paced culture, family members often arrive at the kitchen table just in time to eat and leave soon after. We fail to appreciate the time and effort invested by one for the benefit of all. Grocery lists have to be prepared and food items must be prepped. Some menus require short cook times, but other meals include multiple steps and greater blocks of time. Each family member should begin with their own index card with their name written at the top. Consider one strength or skill of your own that you recognize in yourself and write it on the card, under your name. Then, pass your card to your right. Similarly, write at least one positive trait for the person named on the card. Once complete, pass the card to the right. Continue until your card has made it back to you.
“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:3
Use this family meal activity to compare meal preparation time to God’s perfect timing. Gather the family to prepare the taco soup for cooking early in the day.Take turns stirring the browning meat, opening cans, and stirring all the ingredients in the crockpot. Discuss the amount of time required to make a shopping list, purchase the ingredients, prepare the meat, open the cans, etc. What are your favorite ingredients? How would they taste as a single ingredient? Take turns stirring the browning meat, opening cans, and stirring all the ingredients in the crockpot. Discuss the amount of time required to make a shopping list, purchase the ingredients, prepare the meat, open the cans, etc.
What are your favorite ingredients? How would they taste as a single ingredient? Compare this cooking process to our prayer lives. We put the ingredients in the crock pot and wait for the meal to be ready. Likewise, we give our requests to God in prayer and wait for His answer in His timing. Does God always answer our prayers immediately? Sometimes, yes, but other times we have to trust Him and wait. God knows what is best for me, and His plans for me are for my good. Psalm 40:1 reads, “I waited patiently for the Lord, He turned to me, and heard my cry.”
Share a meal-time prayer thanking God that He is in control and that His timing is always best. “Thank you, Thank you, Jesus, that You are always in charge. You know me best and You know what is best for me. Thank You for always hearing my prayers. Help me be patient as I wait for Your answer and Your timing. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.”