Putting It Together

Friday Evening - January 9, 2026

Dan visits The Blue Anchor for Fry-Day and learns a valuable insight from George the Chef about commitment. We reflect on our week by reviewing the Wesley Covenant Prayer.

Discussion Question(s)

• What makes the person on your left special?

• What happened this week that was different than what you planned, but ended up being good?

• If you knew that God wanted to fill this year with adventures that are both fun for you and help other people, how would it mak...

So Be It

Friday Morning - January 9, 2026

Having regular rhythms can help ensure we do the most important things every day. As we look at the end of the Covenant Prayer, we talk about keys to living out the prayer.

Discussion Question(s)

• What are the parts of your family’s morning routine?

• Do you do them in the same order every day?

• On off days, what do you skip?

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for this week and for the Covenant Prayer that hel...

Evening Gratitude

Thursday Evening - January 8, 2026

Practicing gratitude is a great way to start the day, but it can be a valuable evening discipline as well. We can use the final moments of the day to remember the small things that brought us joy.

Discussion Question(s)

• What is something small from today you’re grateful for?

Prayer

Dear God, we are surrounded by amazing and beautiful things. Some are big and easy to see. Others are small and might take a little extra effort or intention to n...

National Bubble Bath Day

Thursday Morning - January 8, 2026

No one takes a bubble bath because they have to, but rather they choose to because they want to experience the joy it brings. As we grow in our faith, choosing to follow God will also become a source of joy.

Discussion Question(s)

• What are some simple pleasures that bring you joy?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for simple pleasures - for warm baths and cozy blankets, for holding hands with people we love, and for bookstores th...

The Next Right Step

Wednesday Evening - January 7, 2026

We learn a valuable lesson from Brie the Baker about how to respond when things don’t go the way we planned. It also shows us that we can trust God when God leads us into the unexpected.

Discussion Question(s)

• When the unexpected happens, especially when it’s an unexpected challenge, how do you respond?

Prayer

Dear God, because you love us, you care about what we want and what we have planned. We thank you for the ways i...

Orthodox Christmas

Wednesday Morning - January 7, 2026

While most of us celebrated two weeks ago, Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas today! This gives us an opportunity to talk about what is and is not most important when it comes to celebrating our faith.

Discussion Question(s)

• If the details of how we celebrate Christmas aren’t the most the important things about Christmas, then what is?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this new day and for all of your blessings. We thank you that your love can be r...

Light Through the Fog

Tuesday Evening - January 6, 2026

Just as the Grace Harbor Lighthouse guides boats safely through the fog, God’s love can guide us when we feel lost.

Discussion Question(s)

• When was a time when you felt lost?

• How did it feel and how did you eventually find your way?

Prayer

Today’s prayer is a “breath prayer,” where you pray a word or phrase as you inhale and another word or phrase as you exhale.

Inhale: Light of the World

...

Epiphany

Tuesday Morning - January 6, 2026

Today we celebrate Epiphany by talking about “ah ha” moments. We also remember when the Wise Men first came to see Jesus and talk about why that was important.

Discussion Question(s)

• When was a time that you had an “ah ha” moment?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that Jesus came to love and care for all of us. And even though the Wise Men got to have the first epiphany thousands of years ago, we can each have our own moments of...

The Covenant Prayer

Monday Evening - January 5, 2026

Dan’s plans for the final family adventure of Christmas break fall apart when everything changes. This gives us a chance to reflect on how we can react when God surprises us with things we didn’t plan.

Discussion Question(s)

• How do you treat the things that belong to you - like your favorite toy, your pet, or the family car?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for the Christmas season that is now ending. We thank you for the ne...

A New Year!

Monday Morning - January 5, 2026

Dan shares how both his family and the town of Grace Harbor celebrated New Years. We then spend some time talk about resolutions and intentions for the upcoming year.

Discussion Question(s)

• What is a word or two that describes how you want to approach this new year?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this new year and the way it can feel like a brand new blank piece of paper. As we begin to fill our year with al...

Reflecting on Advent and Christmas

Friday Evening - December 26, 2025

We reflect on the end of Advent and the coming of Christmas.

Note: The podcast is taking a break next week and will return on Monday, January 5, 2026.

Discussion Question(s)

• Can you name the four themes of Advent?

• BONUS: Can you remember any of the mini-holidays we celebrated?

• Which of the four Advent themes did you like the most and why?

• What was your favorite thing that you did this Advent and why?

• Whe...

12 Days of Christmas

Friday Morning - December 26, 2025

We learn that Christmas is not just a day, but it is a season that lasts 12 days. Dan suggests an activity to keep the season going.

Discussion Question(s)

• What is something you can do over the next week and a half to remind each other that it’s still the Christmas season?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that Christmas is *not* over. Over the next couple of weeks, you invite us to keep thinking about your love for us a...

Somebody Must Love You

Thursday Evening - December 25, 2025

Dan takes an afternoon walk and sees families out enjoying their new gifts. When we get a gift we need, it is a sign that the gift-giver loves us.

Discussion Question(s)

• When did you feel loved today?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day full of excitement. We thank you that all of the gifts we both gave and received today are signs of our love for each other. And, of course, we thank you that th...

Merry Christmas!

Thursday Morning - December 25, 2025

All four themes of Advent - hope, peace, joy, and love - have ultimately been about good things happening. When we experience these things for ourselves, it makes us want to share them with others.

Discussion Question(s)

• What is something from the last couple of weeks that you like to say “thank you” to God for?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for all of the good things you have done and continue to do for us. Especially today, we are gr...

Prayer By the Christmas Tree

Wednesday Evening - December 24, 2025

Dan shares about the end of the Christmas Eve service when everyone lights a candle as they sing “Silent Night.” We talk about the temptation to hurry through Christmas tomorrow.

Discussion Question(s)

• What are you most hoping for as Christmas comes tomorrow?

Prayer

God, keep me from hurrying through all the things I hoped for. Amen.

• Prayer courtesy of Tanner Olson (https://www.instagram.com/writtentospeak/)

Episode Music: Silent Night (In The Stillness) by Joshua...

Improvised Live Nativity

Wednesday Morning - December 24, 2025

The Grace Harbor Christmas Eve service features a live improvised nativity, where anyone can put on a costume a play a part. Because there’s no practice ahead of time, there are always surprises, which makes it a wonderful picture of the first Christmas.

Discussion Question(s)

• What was a time when you were surprised by something good?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for the parts of the Christmas story we know and love, and we thank you for the...

Love In Action

Tuesday Evening - December 23, 2025

Dan helps Brie the Baker close up her shop for the Christmas break. We learn that setting intentions sometimes involves keeping our eyes open for opportunities we don’t see coming.

Discussion Question(s)

• What was one moment from today when you gave or received God’s love?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that your love is all around us. It fills our hearts, it inspires us to action, and it flows through other people to us. Give us a good...

Love Is...

Tuesday Morning - December 23, 2025

The theme for the fourth and final week of Advent is love. Love is a word that everyone knows and uses, but it has so many different meanings.

Discussion Question(s)

• What is one silly thing and one serious thing that you love?

• How can you remind yourself of the true meaning of Christmas today?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for your love. We thank you that your love for us isn’t just a feeling, but it’s someth...

A Sign Unto You

Monday Evening - December 22, 2025

Though the story of Jesus’ birth doesn’t happen until three-quarters of the way through the Bible, God promised he would come from the very beginning. We take a look at some of the signs God gave to show that the first Christmas was coming.

Discussion Question(s)

• If God put you and your family in charge of letting the world know that Christmas is coming in just a few days, how would you do it?

Prayer

Dear God, we tha...

Look for the Signs

Monday Morning - December 22, 2025

Sometimes we can be waiting for something so long that we begin to worry it won’t actually happen. But one way we can reassure ourselves is by looking for signs.

Discussion Question(s)

• What are some signs that Christmas is actually coming?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that Christmas is *so* close. While it may feel like we’ve been waiting for a long time, and we still have a few days to go, there are signs all ar...

The Light of Joy

Friday Evening - December 19, 2025

Being someone’s friend can help them through hard times because they don’t need to go through them alone. Like a full moon in the middle of the night, we can help shine light into the darkness.

Discussion Question(s)

• What was something that brought you joy this week?

• When was a time you chose joy this week?

• Who is someone you want to share joy with as Christmas gets closer?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank y...

Longest Night

Friday Morning - December 19, 2025

Note to grown-ups: Today's episode talks about how holidays can be hard for some families. We’re going to acknowledge loss and grief, which is an important conversation to have. I’ve done my best to frame it appropriately for all ages, but if you'd like to preview it first, please do.

Not everyone feels happy at Christmas time, and that’s ok. This weekend marks the longest night of the year, and some churches host worship services that can help offer comfort and hope to those who ne...

Joy in Giving

Thursday Evening - December 18, 2025

Dan shares what he picked up at the Grace Harbor Christmas Market. We talk about how giving is a way of sharing joy with others.

Discussion Question(s)

• What are some of the ways your family shares joy with each other?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for the joy that comes from both giving and receiving. Fill our hearts with joy so we have plenty to share with others. Give us a good night’s sleep tonight so that we c...

Christmas Market Day

Thursday Morning - December 18, 2025

Today is the day of the Grace Harbor Christmas Market, where anyone can bring homemade gifts and offer them for sale or trade. We also think about how we’d like the next couple of days to go.

Discussion Question(s)

• What would you bring to share at the Christmas Market?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for all of the important things we get to do over the next week. Some of it will be work, and hopefully a lot...

When You Need a Boost

Wednesday Evening - December 17, 2025

Just like the Wright Brothers needed a boost from a strong wind to get off the ground, sometimes we too need a boost from God and others to see our dreams take flight.

Discussion Question(s)

• Are there any things you’d like to ask God for help with?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for the people in our life, including you, who give us that extra boost, that extra help, when we need it. We lift up o...

Wright Brothers Day

Wednesday Morning - December 17, 2025

On this day, 122 years ago, the Wright Brothers flew the world’s first successful motor-powered, human-controlled airplane. Just as they inspired the world to chase new heights, our joy can inspire others as well.

Discussion Question(s)

• What kinds of things do you think could happen if more people chose joy?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for the excitement of dreams. Joy is a gift from you, and in the same way you share it with us, we can shar...

Choosing Joy

Tuesday Evening - December 16, 2025

Joy is not just an emotion that comes and goes, but it something we can choose to focus on. Choosing joy is one of the most important skills we can learn as we grow up.

Discussion Question(s)

• Do you think choosing joy will be easy or hard for you this week and why?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day and for all of your blessings. We thank you that joy is not just something that comes and go...

Joy and Happiness

Tuesday Morning - December 16, 2025

Happiness and joy can be similar, but they are not the same thing. Joy is deeper and can keep going even when we aren’t feeling happy.

Discussion Question(s)

• If you had dinner with the people you love the most, who would be there and how would it make you feel?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for both happiness and joy. We thank for things like our favorite foods that can provide little bursts of joy. And we thank...

Finding Joy

Monday Evening - December 15, 2025

Dan takes a tumble while walking downtown. But with the help of some kind neighbors, it turns into an opportunity for joy.

Discussion Question(s)

• Who are the people in your life who bring you joy?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for the people who bring us joy. We thank you for the people who know just how to make us feel special and loved. Give us a good night’s sleep tonight so we can wake up rested and refr...

Intro to Joy

Monday Morning - December 15, 2025

The theme for the third week of Advent is joy. We begin by exploring how even mistakes can turn into sources of joy.

Discussion Question(s)

• Do you have any holiday traditions, favorite recipes, or special activities?

• What’s a story from your family when things went wrong but now you laugh about it?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for stories that make us laugh. Laughing is a great way to experience joy, and laughing together as a fami...

Letting the Icing Dry

Friday Evening, December 12, 2025

Letting the icing dry on a gingerbread house helps lock it in, Similarly, we reflect on our week to help lock in all the good stuff from the week.

Discussion Question(s)

• What was something good that happened to you this week and why was it good?

• What was something good that you helped to make happen for someone else and why was that good?

• What’s one word that describes this week, and what’s one word you hope describes...

Gingerbread House Day

Friday Morning, December 12, 2025

Today we celebrate Gingerbread House Day! We learn that when we work together, our impact can be bigger.

Discussion Question(s)

• What’s something good that you’d love to see happen, not just in your family, but in your community?

Listener Mail

• Hazel - Lake Mary, Florida

• Ben - Orlando, Florida

• Kaylor - Chesterfield, Virginia

• William - Orlando, Florida

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this week. We thank you that peace...

You Are Grace Harbor

Thursday Evening, December 11, 2025

Lighthouses help ships by showing them the way around danger and to safety. We have the opportunity to be lighthouses and safe harbors for the people in our lives.

Discussion Question(s)

• Who could we be a safe harbor for?

• Do you know of any friends or neighbors or people in your community that would be encouraged knowing that you’re there for them?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day and for all of your blessi...

Becoming a Harbor for Others

Thursday Morning, December 11, 2025

Grace Harbor got its start as a Trading Post set up by a sailor named John and his wife, Grace. Their welcome and care for the ships and crews passing through defined this as a place of refuge and safety.

Discussion Question(s)

• What could your family do to be more like a harbor for each other?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day, and we thank you for our family. We thank you for the ways we...

We All Need Harbors

Wednesday Evening, December 10, 2025

Even the strongest ships need the safety of a harbor at times. It is not a sign that the boat is weak but that the captain is wise.

Discussion Question(s)

• What are some times when we might need our safe places?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this wonderful day and for all of your blessings. We thank you that no matter what’s going on in our life, you love us and are always watching over us. We p...

What Is a Harbor?

Wednesday Morning, December 10, 2025

We learn that a harbor is any place that keeps us safe when life gets stormy. We also begin to learn a little bot about the history of Grace Harbor.

Discussion Question(s)

• What are your safe places?

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this new day, and we thank you for all of the harbors in our lives. We thank you that there are people and places that make us feel safe and loved. When life starts to ge...

Dear God, Thank You

Tuesday Evening, December 9, 2025

Dan celebrated Gratituesday by going to the coffee shop on Main Street and thanking Bobby the Barista for being such a good friend. We also introduce a practice known as “breath prayers.”

Discussion Question(s)

• Who would you like to recognize for Gratituesday and how can you show them your gratitude?

Prayer

Today’s prayer is a “breath prayer,” where you pray a word or phrase as you inhale and another word or phrase as you exhale.

Inhale: Dear God

Gratituesday

Tuesday Morning, December 9, 2025

Today, we celebrate National Christmas Card Day. We also introduce a special holiday Dan’s family celebrates every week called Gratituesday!

Discussion Question(s)

• If you could send a Christmas card to anyone, who would it be?

Prayer

Dear God, we want to say ‘Happy Gratituesday’ to you first. All of the good things in our lives are gifts from you. As we share our gratitude with others, may it be a way of showing your love to others as well. Amen.

Episod...

The Peace of Advent

Monday Evening, December 8, 2025

Jesus is sometimes called the Prince of Peace. It means he uses all his power to help create peace - to make good things happen and help fix what's broken.

Discussion Question(s)

• Is there something happening right now where you think, 'this situation could really use some peace - some good things to happen'?

Prayer

Dear, God. We thank you for this day and for all of your blessings. We thank you for the ways we were able to he...

Intro to Peace

Monday Morning, December 8, 2025

The theme for the second week of Advent is peace. Peace in the Bible means whole and complete, everything in its right place, and everything working together for good.

Discussion Question(s)

• What do you think peace means?

Prayer

Dear God, thank you for this new week and for showing us what real peace looks like. Help us to be peace-bringers today - through our kind words, our helping hands, and our loving hearts. Amen.

Episode Music: Canoe Journey by...

Choosing Rest

Friday Evening, December 5, 2025

It is important to take time to reflect on our week. It reminds us what we did, what was important to us, and how God was with us through it all.

Discussion Question(s)

Listener Mail

Friday Morning, December 5, 2025

Dan shares listener mail! We also introduce the concept of sabbath, which is taking intentional time to rest and recharge. We can achieve this through both being calm and being active.

Discussion Question(s)

Listener Mail

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that you care for us. We thank you...

Thank You for Slow Days

Thursday Evening, December 4, 2025

We learn the importance of slow days, especially when we are tired and need to recover. Having a day with nothing on the calendar gives us space to rest and reflect on how God is present and active in our lives.

Discussion Question(s)

Prayer

Thank you, God, for this day - whether it was a good one or a bad one, a jam-packed day or a slow day. Thank yo...

Hope Begins

Thursday Morning, December 4, 2025

Each week of Advent has a theme, and this week’s theme is hope. Dan defines hope as “looking forward to something good that hasn’t happened yet.”

Discussion Question(s)

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that we can get as excited as we want about your love for us. And while we are waiting for the big celebration on Christmas, we know you already love us every day...

Christmas Tree Lighting

Wednesday Evening, December 3, 2025

Tonight’s episode comes to you from the Christmas Tree Lighting and block party at the Village Green! We learn that while it is important to thank God for all of the good things in our lives, we can take gratitude to the next level when we share our gratitude with others.

Discussion Question(s)

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day and for all of your bl...

Gratitude Is…

Wednesday Morning, December 3, 2025

Starting our day with gratitude is a way of turning our hearts on in the morning. It focuses us on God’s blessings in our lives. Dan also makes final preparations for the big Christmas block party tonight!

Discussion Question(s)

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you that we have things to be grateful for! We know that you love us, and one of the ways we can feel that love is by recognizing the things in our...

Guiding Words

Tuesday Evening, December 2, 2025

When we set our intentions for the day, it shapes our focus. It helps us both be proactive in our approach to the day, but it can also help us respond when things don’t go the way we are planning.

Discussion Question(s)

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day and for all of your blessings. As we spend the ne...

What is Advent?

Tuesday Morning, December 2, 2025

This morning, we introduce the season of Advent. We learn that it is important to prepare our hearts for Christmas so that we can get the most out of it. Dan begins preparations for the big Christmas Tree Lighting and block party on Wednesday.

Today’s Discussion Question(s)

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for all of the exciting things that are coming today and tomorrow and over the next couple we...

What Matters to You

Monday Evening, December 1, 2025

Sometimes the things we are looking forward to happen and sometimes they don’t. But even if they don’t happen, setting our intentions is still valuable. If nothing else, they help us learn more about ourselves and what’s important to us.

Today’s Discussion Question(s)

Prayer

Dear God, we thank you for this day...

Welcome to Grace Harbor

Monday Morning, December 1, 2025

Welcome to Grace Harbor! This morning, we meet Pastor Dan and introduce our three core disciplines: gratitude, intention setting, and prayer.

Today’s Discussion Question(s)

Prayer

Dear God, I thank you for all of the new friends I’ve made this morning through the podcast. I can’t wait for them to get to know more about Grace Harbor and for us to learn more about them! And we all thank yo...

Family Prayer Podcast - Preview Episode 2

Welcome back to the Family Prayer Podcast! This is the second of two preview episodes for the parents and grandparents interested in using this resource with their family. This episode dives into what you can expect from the podcast, how to get the most out of it, as well as a preview of an evening episode.

After this, it’s onward to the full launch on Monday, December 1. See you in Grace Harbor!

Episode Music: Rooted by LNDÖ, Fallbrook by Reveille

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📝 Send Us Your...

Family Prayer Podcast - Preview Episode 1

Welcome to the Family Prayer Podcast! This is the first of two preview episodes for the parents and grandparents interested in using this resource with their family. This episode focuses on the heart behind the podcast - why it exists and how it came to be - as well as a preview of the first full episode coming Monday morning, December 1.

Episode Music: Monte Rosa by Alsever Lake, New Tricks by LNDÖ

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📝 Send Us Your Stories!

We love featuring listener submissions!

Voi...

Introducing the Family Prayer Podcast

The Family Prayer Podcast transforms everyday family moments into opportunities for sacred connections through twice-daily episodes for families with elementary-aged children. Set in the fictional coastal town of Grace Harbor, Pastor Dan guides families through gratitude, intention-setting, and prayer with zero prep required by parents. Each sub-10-minute episode fits seamlessly into existing routines—breakfast, car rides, bedtime—making spiritual formation accessible for busy families who want meaningful faith practices without the overwhelm.

Episode Music: New Tricks by LNDÖ

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