Week: How to Pray...
As usual, 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
Our Father in heaven, we know that You are with us and that You want to talk with us – so we respond very simply by saying: ‘Here we are, we’re ready. Teach us how to pray.’
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Zoë
Ephesians 3:20
With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re REFLECTING on the ‘A’ part of our P.R.A.Y process, how to ‘ASK’ God for things for ourselves, by looking at a verse from the Lord’s Prayer.
Read by Zoë
Matthew 6:11
Give us the food we need for each day.
Matthew 6:11 (NCV)
In some other versions of the Bible, this verse is translated as, ‘give us today our daily bread’ (NIV). This may seem like a strange thing to pray about, especially if we don’t like or can’t eat bread. But what Jesus is teaching here is that we can pray for the everyday, small things in our lives, and not just the big things. God is interested in every aspect of our lives big and small.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What is our favourite food?
And now, we ASK God to help us and others.
Lord God, thank you that you care about everything that is going on in our lives, no matter how small it might seem.
Let’s quietly talk to God about something we need.
For millions of people, in our country and around the world, asking for food isn’t a small thing – it’s the thing they need the most today.
Father God, we ASK You to bless the food banks, feeding schemes, and other charities around the world that bring crucial provisions to those who need it most.
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 6:11
Give us the food we need for each day.
Matthew 6:11 (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 coming to you every day to ask you for what we need, knowing that you love us and care for us.
Pause
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Ephesians 3:20
With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 (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.
Content from today’s Lectio for Families is adapted from Pete Greig and Gemma Hunt’s book, ‘How to Pray: A Guide for Young Explorers’ (Hodder & Stoughton, 2022). Why not order your own copy? https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/how-to-pray-a-guide-for-young-explorers/
Chris lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two boys. He works for 24-7 Prayer Australia and Red Church and is also a professional musician. When he’s not working or drumming Chris enjoys going on long hikes in the mountains with his boys and playing table tennis.
Zoë Thandeka (Thandi) is 13 and she lives in Guildford, in the UK, with her family. She loves football (her favourite football team is Liverpool FC), Top Gear and car-spotting. When she’s older, Zoë wants to be a photographer or work with animals in some way.