Luke Kaa-Morgan is Te Pouarataki mō te Whīkoi Treaty Guide for Carey Baptist College, the Baptist National Support Centre and Arotahi (NZBMS).
As we begin each day of our Baptist National Hui, we will be praying this responsive prayer (Inoi). The words and English translation are below. The words to be chanted together as a response are in bold italics.
We will also be praying a blessing He Karakia mō te Kai over our food before each meal. Written by Ray Totorewa, the blessing below reflects aspects of a traditional Māori worldview that resonates with Scripture and is directed to God as the provider and source of all things.
What a good way to start off te Wiki o te Reo Māori, which this year runs from 14 – 18 September.
Karakia Timatanga
He hōnore, he korōria ki te Atua
He maungārongo ki te whenua
He whakaaro pai ki ngā tāngata katoa
Hangā e te Atua he ngākau hou
Ki roto ki tēnā, ki tēnā ō mātou
Whakatōngia tōu Wairua Tapu
Hei āwhina, hei tohutohu i ā mātou
I tēnei rā/pō
Āke, ake ake
Āmine
Honour, glory and
peace to the land.
May good thoughts come
to all men
for ever and ever, for ever and ever
Amen.
The Lord is the refuge
and my life.
Amen.
He Karakia mō te Kai
Nā Ray Totorewa i tuhi
Te pū, te more, te weu, te aka
The source, the taproot, the binding roots, the long and thin roots
Ka tipu, ka rea, ka puāwaitia
Sprout, grow, bloom
Ko ngā hua e hora nei
These are the fruits laid before us
Ngā hua ki uta, ngā hua ki tai
Foods from the land, foods from the sea
E te Kaiwhakarato o ngā kai katoa, whakapaingia
God, the provider of all foods, bless
Whakapaingia hei oranga, whakapaingia hei rongoā
Bless to sustain life, to restore health
E te pūtake o te ora
To you God, the source of life
Haukia mai te hau, paimārire
Let your breath come, goodness and peace
This karakia begins beneath the surface — (te pū, te more, te weu, te aka). It reminds us that before anything is seen, life is already at work. Moving in the hidden places — in the roots, in the foundations, in the quiet forming of things we cannot yet see.
(Ka tipu, ka rea, ka puāwaitia) What begins unseen does not remain there. In time, it rises, stretches, and bursts into fullness. This is the nature of provision; not rushed, but faithful, bringing forth life in its season.
(Ko ngā hua e hora nei) And so we come to the table. What is before us is more than food, it is the evidence of a journey. Every meal carries a story of growth, care, and provision.
(Ngā hua ki uta, ngā hua ki tai) From land and from sea, all of creation participates. It is a picture of abundance — that God provides through many sources, all working together for our good.
(E te Kaiwhakarato o ngā kai katoa, whakapaingia) We turn our attention to the Provider, not just the provision. We acknowledge that behind every gift is the Giver.
(Whakapaingia hei oranga, whakapaingia hei rongoā) We ask that this food would do more than fill us — that it would sustain life, restore strength, and bring healing where it is needed. That what we receive outwardly would also nourish us inwardly.
(E te pūtake o te ora) Again, we return to the source. Everything flows from God who is the beginning, the sustainer, the one in whom life itself is held.
(Haukia mai te hau pāimārire) And then, a gentle closing — a breath. Not striving, not urgency, but peace. A settling of the soul, a quiet assurance that we are held, provided for, and cared for.
Image supplied.
