Week: Mark's Gospel
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
Jesus, we hear Your invitation, and so we choose to follow You, with all our hearts, with all our minds, with all our souls and with all our strength.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Annika
John 8:12
[Jesus] said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’
John 8:12 (NIV UK)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Earlier this week, we heard about John the Baptist’s message – he came to prepare people to meet and hear from Jesus. Today, we’re REFLECTING on Jesus’ message.
Read by Annika
Mark 1:14-15
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the Good News from God. He said, ‘The right time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Change your hearts and lives and believe the Good News!’
Mark 1:14-15 (NCV)
Jesus talked a lot about the ‘kingdom of God’, probably more than anything else. But God’s kingdom isn’t like a kingdom on earth – we can’t find it on a map or visit it for a holiday. The kingdom of God is wherever God is in charge, wherever we live God’s ways. When we love others, God’s kingdom is there. When we’re kind and generous, God’s kingdom is there.
Let’s press pause and chat about today’s question, which is: What do we think it looks like when God is in charge?
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to pray, ‘Let Your kingdom come, let Your will be done.’ (Matthew 6:10)
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us live God’s ways, letting a bit more of God’s kingdom into our homes, our schools, wherever we are, every day.
There are lots of bad things happening around the world. It’s not difficult to think of places where people are being treated unfairly, where people are hurt and suffering.
Lord Jesus, let Your kingdom come in these places. We want people to love each other, to live in peace together, to be healed and helped. We want God to be in charge.
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.
Mark 1:14-15
After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, preaching the Good News from God. He said, ‘The right time has come. The kingdom of God is near. Change your hearts and lives and believe the Good News!’
Mark 1:14-15 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Heavenly Father, we say YES to You being in charge, in our hearts and in every part of our lives and the world around us. As Jesus taught us, we say YES, let YOUR kingdom come, here, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 8:12
[Jesus] said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’
John 8:12 (NIV UK)
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.
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
Annika lives in Melbourne, Australia with her parents and older brother and sister. Annika enjoys playing Cricket and Aussie Rules Football and loves going to watch her favourite team play football. Annika also learns the drums and enjoys making up her own beats!
