Week: One Anothers
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
What a friend we have in You, Jesus. We’re ready for the new things that You want to show us and say to us about being friends with You, and with others too.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Jackson R
Philippians 2:3
When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honour to others than to yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
We’re REFLECTING on a few verses from Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus. He wanted to encourage them and remind them what it looked like to live like Jesus.
Read by Jackson R
Ephesians 4:29,31-32 (NCV)
Ephesians 4:29,31-32
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need – words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.
In the Avengers movies, when Bruce Banner gets uncontrollably angry he turns into the Incredible Hulk and usually smashes lots of stuff. We probably haven’t ever turned green like the Incredible Hulk, but maybe we sometimes feel angry – like we’re about to explode.
It’s OK to feel angry – it ‘s OK to feel big emotions like this – but it’s not OK to allow our angry feelings to turn into words or actions that hurt ourselves or other people. In today’s verses, Paul gives some great advice on how to be good friends and love people instead of hurting them.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Which superhero would we most like to be, and why?
And now, we ASK God to help us and others.
Loving God, we offer to You any big emotions that we’re feeling at the moment, especially any anger, and we ASK You to fill us with Your peace instead. Help us not to hurt ourselves or other people. Help us to be kind and loving and forgiving instead.
Sadly, people often say or do things in anger. Let’s pray for those who are suffering today as a result of someone’s angry words or actions, even their own.
Lord Jesus, You came into the world to show us a better way to live – the way of love instead of hate and hurt. We ASK You to bring peace and healing to all those who are affected by anger.
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.
Ephesians 4:29,31-32
Ephesians 4:29,31-32 (NCV)
When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need – words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.
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, we will choose kindness, love and forgiveness instead of anger that causes harm.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Philippians 2:3
When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honour to others than to yourselves.
Philippians 2:3 (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 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.
Jackson is 11 and lives with his younger brother and parents in Surrey. He loves pretty much all sport but his favourites are football, golf and jumping off high stuff into water! He enjoys gaming and is always ready to build something on Minecraft.