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6 Practices - Psalms

Being Honest

Week: Prayer

  • P.R.A.Y
  • Pause
  • Rejoice
  • Reflect
  • Ask
  • Yes
Joy Hubo
With Joy and Hubo
Welcome to Lectio for Families. We’re continuing our series based on the book of Psalms and the six practices which are at the heart of Lectio for Families and 24-7 Prayer. This week, we’re focusing on the practice of prayer.

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.


Pause

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

Prayer of Welcome

Father God, as we draw near to You, please draw near to us too. Teach us to pray. Speak, Lord, we’re listening.


Rejoice

Memory Verse

We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:

God, help us to remember Your Word.


Reflect

Bible Reading

Today, we’re REFLECTING on how to be honest about what we’re feeling when we pray and talk with God.

Read by Hubo
Psalm 42:5-6
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again,
my Savior and my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you.
Psalm 42:5-6a (NLT)

This might come as a surprise, but the poems and the prayers in the book of Psalms are filled with all kinds of feelings. Are we feeling afraid? That’s in the Psalms. Are we feeling angry with God? That’s in the Psalms too. Are we feeling joyful and excited? That’s in the Psalms. Are we feeling sad and lonely? That’s also in the Psalms.

The writers of the Psalms were really open and honest with God, whatever they were feeling. They didn’t try to cover up the bad and the sad feelings and pray ‘nice’ prayers instead. They trusted that God loved them and they just let everything out.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What different feelings have we felt today? If it’s hard to find the right words, maybe we could choose a colour to represent our feelings, or find an emoji that looks like how we feel?

  • PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

Let’s bring what we’ve just been talking about to God, trusting that He loves us and that we can let everything out to Him.

Loving Father, we’re so grateful that You are always with us and that You always love us, whatever we’re feeling inside. We ASK You to help us with what we’re feeling at the moment, especially any difficult emotions.

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

In today’s Psalm, the writer talked about feeling discouraged and sad. Maybe there’s a friend at school or at work, or maybe someone in our family that feels like this?

Loving Father, we ASK You to be especially close to those who are feeling discouraged and sad right now. We ASK You to encourage them – lift them up and give them hope.

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Yes

Bible Reading

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.

Psalm 42:5-6
Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again,
my Savior and my God!
Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you.
Psalm 42:5-6a (NLT)

What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and tell each other

YES Prayer

And now, let’s say YES to God together.

Loving God, as it says in today’s Psalm, YES, we will remember You. Whatever is going on in our lives, whatever we’re feeling, we will remember You because You never let us down, and You always give us hope.

Memory Verse

After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:

Closing Prayer

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.

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Your Memory Verse

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Joy

Joy

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.

Hubo

Hubo

Hubolodumo (Hubo) is 10 years old, and lives In Johannesburg, South Africa with his parents and 4 siblings.
When he’s not busy trying out ninja moves, he’s practicing the latest dance moves, playing soccer, drawing or playing games with his friends.

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