Week: Love (Lent)
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
Holy Spirit, it’s You who helps us grow, each and every day, into who God made us to be. We’re ready to be changed a little bit more by You today.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
Psalm 89:2
I will say, ‘Your love continues forever; your loyalty goes on and on like the sky.’
Psalm 89:2 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Jesus was once asked an important question about the law – the rules that people followed to help them walk in God’s way. Today, we’re REFLECTING on His answer.
Read by Eli
Matthew 22:36-40
[The religious leader said] ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?’
Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbour as you love yourself. All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.’
Matthew 22:36-40 (NCV)
This is it. This is the whole of the law summarised in a few words – love God, love your neighbour,. It almost sounds too simple doesn’t it?
Jesus says we are to love with all our heart, soul and mind; every thought, feeling, idea – all of the wonderful, weird things that are in our brain – Jesus tells us to fill them all with love.
This is harder than it sounds though, isn’t it? Some of us find it really easy to love God, but loving other people is a bit tricky. Or maybe we’re really good at loving other people, but we struggle to love ourselves. And this is why we need God’s love in us – so we can love like He does.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What ways could we love those in our families this weekend? Let’s think of some really practical ideas together.
One of the best ways to show our love for God, is to say thank you. Let’s each think of 3 things that we want to say thank you for today. Maybe we can write a longer list later.
Lord God, we give thanks to You because You are good. Your love continues forever. (adapted from Psalm 136:1, NCV)
Loving others is always a Big Adventure because amazing things can happen when God’s love gets shared. Let’s pray for the church – the family of God – around the world.
Loving God, You are love. As we, the family of God, receive Your love, may it fill us up and spill over onto everyone we meet.
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.
Matthew 22:36-40
[The religious leader said] ‘Teacher, which command in the law is the most important?’
Jesus answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbour as you love yourself. All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.’
Matthew 22:36-40 (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, we want the fruit of love to grow in us a little bit more today. We want to be filled up with Your love, so that we can give it away to others!
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 89:2
I will say, ‘Your love continues forever; your loyalty goes on and on like the sky.’
Psalm 89:2 (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.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Eli lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.
