Week: Me and Myself
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, You came to bring peace and healing, and because of You we can now be reconciled with God, with ourselves, with other people and with the whole world. We’re ready for You to restore our relationships a little bit more today.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Elanor
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.
What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.
Psalm 139:14 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re REFLECTING on what happened after people threatened the prophet Elijah’s life.
1 Kings 19:3-6
When Elijah heard this, he was afraid and ran for his life, taking his servant with him. When they came to Beersheba in Judah, Elijah left his servant there. Then Elijah walked for a whole day into the desert. He sat down under a bush and asked to die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he prayed. ‘Let me die. I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the tree and slept.
Suddenly an angel came to him and touched him. ‘Get up and eat,’ the angel said. Elijah saw near his head a loaf baked over coals and a jar of water, so he ate and drank. Then he went back to sleep.
1 Kings 19:3-6 (NCV)
Elijah was afraid. He felt alone, stressed, hungry and really tired. And what did God do? God sent an angel with some food and a drink of water, and then Elijah got some much needed sleep.
Loving ourselves – being reconciled to ourselves – can simply mean taking care of ourselves. And sometimes it’s as easy as giving our bodies what we need – some food, a drink if we’re thirsty, and a good night’s sleep.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What are some of our favourite snacks?
Are we feeling a bit like Elijah right now? Do we feel afraid, alone, stressed, hungry or tired? If we are, let’s take those honest feelings to God in prayer.
Father God, You know our human needs. Our bodies need food, water and sleep. We ASK You to help us remember that Jesus was just like us, and He took time to care for Himself. We need to take time to care for ourselves too.
Elijah had to leave because his life was threatened. Sadly, there are many people around the world today who have had to leave their homes because their lives are threatened. Let’s pray for them now.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to be with people like this. We remember that Your own family – Mary and Joseph – had to leave their home to keep You safe. Please care for, and provide comfort for, those that feel afraid, tired, alone or hungry.
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.
1 Kings 19:3-6
When Elijah heard this, he was afraid and ran for his life, taking his servant with him. When they came to Beersheba in Judah, Elijah left his servant there. Then Elijah walked for a whole day into the desert. He sat down under a bush and asked to die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he prayed. ‘Let me die. I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the tree and slept.
Suddenly an angel came to him and touched him. ‘Get up and eat,’ the angel said. Elijah saw near his head a loaf baked over coals and a jar of water, so he ate and drank. Then he went back to sleep.
1 Kings 19:3-6 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Father God, we say YES to receiving Your incredible kindness. We also say YES, we accept and embrace our own human needs and we will take time to care for ourselves properly.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 139:14
I praise you because you made me in an amazing and wonderful way.
What you have done is wonderful. I know this very well.
Psalm 139:14 (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.
Elanor is 12 years old and lives in East London with her parents and younger brother. She enjoys going on adventures with her friends, reading lots of books, horse riding, acting, singing, dancing and finding different ways to pray to God.
