Paul’s prayer

Supermarket application

Heard about your faith

Think of the faith of

● those you meet whilst shopping

● those who made the Fairtrade products

● those who work there

● those whose faith inspires you

and your love for the Lord Jesus

Think of those who show their love for God in practical ways:

● Enduring persecution

● Witnessing in difficult situations

● Whose walk with God you would like for yourself

● Who have an extravagant devotion to God

Not stopped giving thanks

A hard one, this, but if you have a shopping list, write down ten items to give thanks for in the lives of Christians you know.

remembering you in my prayer

Remember their names – associate each with an item on your shopping list

asking that God may give you the Spirit

Look at the fruit and vegetable section – enjoy the variety of colours, textures, smells and tastes – pray for the fruitfulness of the Holy Spirit in your life and the lives of others.

so that you may know him better.

Find the newspapers and magazines – pick up one and learn something new – then pray for the Church to know God better through Jesus.

that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened

Find the medicines – for sore eyes and heartburn – pray for spiritual enlightenment to work its healing power amidst the disunity, immaturity and lack of understanding of God’s ways.

that you may know the hope

Look at the sell-by dates on the provisions section – with our future in God’s hands we are never out of date.

the riches of his glorious inheritance

Find the most expensive items (champagne? caviar?). We have even greater riches – eternal life, meaning, love, purpose.

the power of his strength

Think of the creation, manufacture, delivery and cost that went into everything on the shelves. Now worship God for his work of creation, provision and redemption. It’s all freely given to us in Jesus!