Week: How to Hear God
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Father God, we’re listening. We look forward to what You want to say to us today, through the Bible, through other people, through what we see and hear around us, even through our hearts. Help us to hear You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Vera Lynn
John 10:27
[Jesus said] ‘My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.’
John 10:27 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on a dramatic story in John’s gospel, where Jesus was about to turn six stone jars full of water into 120 gallons – about 1,000 bottles – of amazing wine.
Read by Vera Lynn
John 2:1-5
Two days later there was a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his followers were also invited to the wedding. When all the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ Jesus answered, ‘Dear woman, why come to me? My time has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you to do.’
John 2:1-5 (NCV)
When Mary was just a teenager, God spoke to her through an angel who told her that her baby would be God’s Son, and that He would be great. The Bible says that Mary treasured this promise in her heart, but maybe there were moments in the years that followed when she wondered if she’d really heard God in the first place. After all, it was 30 years before Jesus’ first miracle took place, at the wedding we’ve just heard about. And this miracle began when Mary said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you to do.’
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Have we ever been to a wedding? What was the best thing about it?
Mary said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you to do.’ Let’s close our eyes and be quiet for a moment, and let’s listen.
What do we think Jesus might be telling us to do this week? Maybe there’s someone he wants us to encourage or care for. Maybe there’s something he wants us to start doing or stop doing? Let’s listen and see what he says to us.
Today’s Bible story was about a wedding. Who do we know that has recently got married, or maybe we know someone who is getting married soon?
Loving God, we ASK You to be with them. Bless them both and protect them as they learn to love one another. And we ASK you to do miracles in their lives too.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
John 2:1-5
Two days later there was a wedding in the town of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his followers were also invited to the wedding. When all the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ Jesus answered, ‘Dear woman, why come to me? My time has not yet come.’ His mother said to the servants, ‘Do whatever he tells you to do.’
John 2:1-5 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together, drawing on Mary’s words in today’s Bible passage.
Lord Jesus, we simply say YES. Whatever you tell us to do… the answer is YES.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 10:27
[Jesus said] ‘My sheep listen to my voice. I know them, and they follow me.’
John 10:27 (NCV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
* To find out more about Pete Greig’s book go to https://www.24-7prayer.com/how-to-hear-god/
Chris lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two boys. He works for 24-7 Prayer Australia and Red Church and is also a professional musician. When he’s not working or drumming Chris enjoys going on long hikes in the mountains with his boys and playing table tennis.
Vera Lynn is 10 years old and lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with her parents, sister, and dog Max. Her favourite hobbies include reading, knitting, sewing, and embroidery. She is very creative. Her favourite book is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in the Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis.
