Week: The Advent Voices - Men
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
Lord Jesus, we are excited to be celebrating Your birth this Christmas. Amongst all the busyness of this season – all the planning and the preparations – please help us to pause and be still. We open our ears to hear You now, and we prepare our hearts to receive You once again.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Max
Matthew 1:23
[The angel said] ‘She will have a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which means God is with us.’
Matthew 1:23b (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re REFLECTING on a man named Zechariah, who had lost his voice because he didn’t believe an angel’s promise – that his wife, Elizabeth, would give birth, even though she was very old.
Read by Max
Luke 1:59-64
They wanted to name him Zechariah because this was his father’s name, but his mother said, ‘No! He will be named John.’ The people said to Elizabeth, ‘But no one in your family has this name.’ Then they made signs to his father to find out what he would like to name him. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John,’ and everyone was surprised. Immediately Zechariah could talk again, and he began praising God.
Luke 1:59b-64 (NCV)
Elizabeth’s baby was a very special baby. Not only was his birth a miracle, but he was also Jesus’ cousin, and the one who would set the scene for Jesus.
Names were really important back then, so Elizabeth and Zechariah wanted to make sure that he had the right one. Everyone was surprised that they didn’t pick a traditional family name because that’s what most parents did. Instead, Zechariah confirmed what Elizabeth had said, that his name would be John, which means ‘God is gracious’. Zechariah knew that God had special plans for his son.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What names have we given to something of ours? A car? A pet? A cuddly toy? Why did we choose these names?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Loving God, we ASK you to help us remember that you have special plans for our lives, just like you did for John. In the moments when doubts come into our hearts and minds, we ASK You to remind us of Your promises, and help us to trust in your love and kindness.
Zechariah’s voice wasn’t heard, because he wasn’t able to speak. Some people can speak, but they still feel like their voices aren’t heard – they feel like no-one listens to them. Maybe they feel like God isn’t listening to them either, because their prayers aren’t answered the way they want them to be.
Heavenly Father, we ASK you to be close to anyone who feels like this today – those who feel alone and ignored. Please show them that you care deeply for them and that you are always listening. And we also ASK you to bring someone to them – a friend who will listen to them.
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.
Luke 1:59-64
They wanted to name him Zechariah because this was his father’s name, but his mother said, ‘No! He will be named John.’ The people said to Elizabeth, ‘But no one in your family has this name.’ Then they made signs to his father to find out what he would like to name him. Zechariah asked for a writing tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John,’ and everyone was surprised. Immediately Zechariah could talk again, and he began praising God.
Luke 1:59b-64 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Loving God, we say YES to using our voices to speak with you, and to speak about you too. And we say YES to listening to your voice, especially during this Advent season.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Matthew 1:23
[The angel said] ‘She will have a son, and they will name him Immanuel, which means God is with us.’
Matthew 1:23b (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.
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Max is 9 years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
