I wonder how many of us are familiar with cookbooks. I confess that my own cooking is usually taking things out of packets and putting them in the oven, or doing the occasional bbq. Only very rarely do I dare to open a recipe book.

But there is one item from recipe books that I refer to often. And strangely it's when I'm communicating with God in prayer, or teaching about prayer, or asked about it. That item is a teaspoon, because a teaspoon is abbreviated 'tsp' and the three main components of prayer are 'Thank you, Sorry, Please'.

From an early age, we're taught that using these three words is an important part of effective everyday communication. God isn't impressed by long words or theological sophistication, and He wants us to use everyday language to communicate with Him, so I have three questions:

What are you grateful for in life? Don't take it for granted, take time to thank God for it.

What is your conscience nagging you about? Is there something you need say 'sorry' for … to God or maybe someone else?

Often we find 'please' the easiest thing to say in prayer, asking for things we want. But God likes to give us good things, so go ahead and ask.