By Mrs Trisha Handy
Sleepy smiles, excited chatter, and the sweet sound of children singing were some of the sights and sounds experienced one sunny September morning. The first Elementary Prayer Breakfast was an inspiring way to begin the 2025 school year at Greaves Adventist Academy.
Peppered throughout our assembly were proud and happy parents who swayed and clapped with us during our worship together. Meanwhile, teachers, parents and cafeteria staff busily prepared a delicious breakfast of warm waffles with maple syrup, savory tofu scramble, hot hashbrowns, fresh fruit, yogurt and the oh so popular chocolat chaud. A teacher fondly states that the “delicious and wholesome breakfast was yummy yummy for [her] tummy!” Following song service and a mini teaching lesson on prayer, the students, teachers and parents were given the opportunity to separate into partners or small groups and spend time praying. A notable and favourite experience that was shared was “seeing the parents huddled with their children in prayer. It was beautiful to behold!” As the soft music of the piano played coupled with sounds of nature, the fragrance of earnest petitions and gratitudes were sent on high. Indeed, it was a very special time. One mother recounts that her favourite part of the morning was when “ the children prayed together [in] groups of 3” , specifically noting that children prayed “not only for themselves but also for [one] other.” She further explained that after talking about the experience with her son on the way home from school, he expressed how much he liked the Prayer Breakfast and wanted to be able to “do it at home with the whole family.” Praise, prayer and a pleased palete. What a way to spend a Friday morning. “The Prayer Breakfast was important for the students and their families”, shares a teacher. “It could be seen as that authentic feeling of ‘family’ and the personification of the proverbial phrase – ‘A family that prays together stays together.” Although the food was memorable, it was our family worship experience that was truly the most meaningful.
