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 Asaph
John 14:6
Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.’
John 14:6 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
We’re REFLECTING on Jesus’ unexpected response when things seemed to be going really, really well.
Read by Asaph
Mark 1:35-38
Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus woke and left the house. He went to a lonely place, where he prayed. Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. When they found him, they said, ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus answered, ‘We should go to other towns around here so I can preach there too. That is the reason I came.’
Mark 1:35-38 (NCV)
The day before this, Jesus had been telling stories and healing loads of people. Mark writes that ‘the whole town gathered at the door,’ (Mark 1:33, NCV). Imagine that – the whole town! Wow! But Jesus wasn’t interested in being popular or successful. The only important thing for Jesus was – what did God want Him to do? And so He went off to pray and listen to God.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What is something we like to do when we want to find some quiet or peace?
We like people to like us, don’t we? It feels good to be popular. And we like it when things go well too, when we’re successful.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us care a little bit less about all this stuff, and a little bit more about what God wants us to do.
Who do we know – perhaps someone at our school, or in our neighbourhood, or even in our church – who doesn’t feel popular, and maybe feels a bit alone?
Father God, show us how we can reach out to them and be kind 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.
Mark 1:35-38
Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus woke and left the house. He went to a lonely place, where he prayed. Simon and his friends went to look for Jesus. When they found him, they said, ‘Everyone is looking for you!’ Jesus answered, ‘We should go to other towns around here so I can preach there too. That is the reason I came.’
Mark 1:35-38 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we say YES to following Your example and getting away from everything to be alone with God, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 14:6
Jesus answered, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.’
John 14:6 (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.
Asaph lives in Portland, Oregon with his younger sister Adelina, father and mother. He enjoys riding his bike, camping, reading, playing flag football and watching Bible Project videos. Asaph is kind and smart and loves hanging out with friends!
