Welcome to Lectio for Families. We’re continuing our series focusing on what the writers of the letters in the New Testament said about the six practices that are at the heart of Lectio for Families and 24-7 Prayer. These six practices are: prayer and creativity, justice and hospitality, learning and mission. This week we are focusing on the practice of learning.

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.

Pause

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

Prayer of Welcome

Holy Spirit, You are the best teacher. As we explore the Bible and listen to You, please help us to understand more about You, and draw closer to You.

Rejoice

Memory Verse

We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:

God, help us to remember Your Word.

Reflect

Bible Reading

This week we’re REFLECTING on a letter written by Paul to his friends in the city of Philippi. Paul was in prison hundreds of miles away, having been locked up for telling people about Jesus. He really missed his friends and wanted to encourage them to keep growing in their faith, and so he wrote to them to tell them how.

Read by Bella
Philippians 1:3-4,6
I thank my God every time I remember you, always praying with joy for all of you… God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:3-4,6 (NCV)

Getting to know Jesus is a lifelong journey. No matter how old we are, or how long we’ve been a Christian, God always has something new to teach us! Sometimes we worry that we don’t understand enough of the Bible, or that we don’t have answers to every question about our faith. But Paul tells us not to worry – God promises to be with us, and to keep on working in our lives. We just need to keep trusting God, keep following Jesus and keep learning from the Holy Spirit.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Paul’s letter had to travel hundreds of miles to reach his friends in Philippi. Who do we know that lives the furthest away from us?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

And now let’s ASK God to help us and others.

Loving God, we ASK You to help us keep growing in our friendship with You. At every age and at every stage, help us keep our hearts and our minds open to You.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Paul really missed his friends in Philippi. Is there anyone we are particularly missing at the moment? Let’s ASK God to be with them and to take care of them.

Loving God, we pray for those we love but who we can’t be with. We ASK You to look after them and let them know how much You, and we, care for them.

Perhaps we could try to get in touch with someone we’re missing this week?

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Yes

Bible Reading

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.

Read by Bella
Philippians 1:3-4,6
I thank my God every time I remember you, always praying with joy for all of you… God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:3-4,6 (NCV)

What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and tell each other

YES Prayer

And now, let’s say YES to God together.

Loving God, we say YES to growing closer to You, and to trusting that You will care for us and continue working in our lives.

Memory Verse

After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:

Closing Prayer

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.