Week: Holy Week
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.
As usual, 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, during this special, holy week, we remember that You suffered, died and came back to life again, and You did all of this because of Your great love for us. We look forward to the new things You want to say to us this week.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s great love with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Max
John 3:16
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re continuing to REFLECT on the day that Jesus died. After nailing Him to the cross, the Roman soldiers left Jesus hanging there in agony for a few hours.
Read by Max
Matthew 27:45-46
At noon the whole country became dark, and the darkness lasted for three hours. About three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ This means, ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’
Matthew 27:45-46 (NCV)
The words ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani’ are Aramaic and they actually come from one of David’s song-prayers, which we call the Psalms. In Jesus’ most desperate moment, He used the first verse of Psalm 22 to express His painful, human feelings, ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’
In that terrible moment, as Jesus hung on the cross, He felt alone. As He took upon Himself all the selfishness and sin and suffering in the world – including ours – Jesus felt alone.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What does it feel like to be separated from someone or something that we love?
Lord Jesus, thank you for taking all the selfishness and sin and suffering in the world, including ours – all the things that separate us from God – onto the cross with You. And You did all this because of love, Your indescribably great love for us.
Maybe someone came into our minds when we talked about today’s question – someone who has become separated from someone else that they love. If so, let’s whisper their names as we pray.
Lord Jesus, You experienced the pain of separation. We ASK You to give comfort to those we know who are sad and suffering, and anyone else who is feeling the ache of loneliness and loss, today.
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 27:45-46
At noon the whole country became dark, and the darkness lasted for three hours. About three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?’ This means, ‘My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?’
Matthew 27:45-46 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, thank you that we are never truly alone, even though we feel lonely sometimes, because You are always with us. We say YES to being loved by You and being with You, always and forever.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 3:16
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, (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, daughter 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 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!
