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 ‘P’ part of our P.R.A.Y process by practising being still. Today’s Psalm talks to us about that place of stillness.
Read by Zoë
Psalm 62:5-6
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
Psalms 62:5-6 (NLT)
It’s good to sit quietly in God’s presence, to simply be with God, but sometimes it’s not as easy as it sounds! Most of us probably find it much easier to pray in different ways, often by doing things, rather than by just waiting quietly and listening. We can be with God in all of these ways – while we’re playing a sport or instrument, by painting or drawing, or even just walking around. It’s not so much that we have to sit completely still but that we find a way away from our busy noisy lives to make space for God.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: In what other places do we have to sit still? Do we find it easy, or hard?
And now, we ASK God to help us and others.
Loving God, we know how important it is to spend time in Your presence. We ASK You to help us learn how to be still and know that You are God (Psalm 46). Help us to find new ways to meet with You. We ASK for inspiration to find the places and spaces where we can know Your presence.
In today’s Bible reading, it says that God is a fortress, a safe place where we cannot be harmed or feel afraid.
Loving God, we pray for those who feel vulnerable and afraid, for whatever reason. We Ask that they find You as a fortress, a safe place.
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 62:5-6
Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.
Psalms 62:5-6 (NLT)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Heavenly Father, even though it is hard, we say NO to constant noise and non-stop busyness, and YES to waiting quietly with You. So, we listen to You now, just for a moment.
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.
