A small, independent bakery in Leeds, UK has been forced to stop selling its most popular cookies this week after someone complained that its topping of American-made sprinkles is illegal for children under EU law. Although the UK is no longer in the European Union, some EU rules are still in force, including the ban on E127 food colouring, which has been linked to hyperactivity in children. The additive is only allowed here in candied and cocktail cherries. The bakery owner said, “I know it sounds like a small thing but it is a big deal for my business – we used them a lot. Raspberry Glazed Donut Cookies are … our best selling cookie.”

You may or may not be surprised at the banning of a few sprinkles on the top of a cookie, but how about the banning of the Lord’s Prayer? The well-known prayer that Jesus taught His followers was banned from being shown as an advert in UK cinemas in November 2015. According to BBC News the advert was “passed uncut by the British Board of Film Classification and given a “U” certificate, as well as receiving clearance from the Cinema Advertising Authority.” But then the Digital Cinema Media agency, which handles British film advertising for the Odeon, Cineworld and Vue cinema chains, “refused to show the advert because it believed it would risk upsetting or offending audiences.” The advert features: refugees, a grieving son, weightlifters, a sheep farmer, a gospel choir and the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, who commented, “This advert is about as offensive as a carol service or church service on Christmas Day. Let the public judge for themselves rather than be censored or dictated to.”

You can watch the advert here (55 secs).

The Lord’s Prayer addresses our basic needs of food, forgiveness and protection, but even more importantly it points us to God, our Creator and our loving Father. The words themselves are not a magic formula, but when we come to our Creator humbly admitting our needs and sincerely asking His forgiveness, we can start each day afresh, knowing that we are loved and forgiven. This was made possible by Jesus, who exchanged His perfect life for ours on the cross, paying the price to set us free and thereby giving us a sure and certain hope of new life, now and always.

Why not dare to be different and try connecting with God each day? The Lord’s Prayer is a good place to start. It’s definitely helped me!

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.