Week: Holy Week
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.
As usual, 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
Lord Jesus, during this special, holy week, we remember that You suffered, died and came back to life again, and You did all of this because of Your great love for us. We look forward to the new things You want to say to us this week.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s great love with one of the most famous verses in the whole of the Bible:
Read by Max
John 3:16
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Jesus’ trial took place before the Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate. The religious leaders told lies about Jesus, and they stirred up the crowds to call for Jesus to be killed. Eventually Pontius Pilate agreed to his death. Today, we’re REFLECTING on what happened after Jesus left the trial.
Read by Max
Matthew 27:28-30
[The soldiers] took off his clothes and put a red robe on him. Using thorny branches, they made a crown, put it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand. Then the soldiers bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat on Jesus. Then they took his stick and began to beat him on the head.
Matthew 27:28-30 (NCV)
Jesus was bullied and beaten by the Roman soldiers. With their voices they mocked Him and made fun of Him, and with their hands and some sticks they beat Him until he bled. They twisted some thorny branches into a ring and made it into a crown. One of the soldiers jammed it onto Jesus’ head, not realising that they were actually crowning a real King – Jesus, the King of all Kings.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: How do we think Jesus felt and what do we think Jesus thought about while He was being bullied and beaten?
And now let’s ask God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, it’s not easy to read this story and be reminded of all that You experienced. However, we remember that You endured all of this – even allowing Yourself to be killed on the cross – because You love us so much. Thank You, Jesus. That’s all we can say… thank you.
Lord Jesus, as we remember the ways that You were bullied and beaten, we also pray for those we know – maybe at school or in our community – who get bullied. We ASK You to rescue them. And if there’s something that we can do to help, we ASK You to give us courage to do it.
And Jesus, we do also pray for those who do the bullying. We ASK that You would change their hearts – help them to choose to love others instead of hurting them.
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 27:28-30
[The soldiers] took off his clothes and put a red robe on him. Using thorny branches, they made a crown, put it on his head, and put a stick in his right hand. Then the soldiers bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ They spat on Jesus. Then they took his stick and began to beat him on the head.
Matthew 27:28-30 (NCV)
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 to You. You are the King of all Kings, and You are the King of our lives too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 3:16
God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him may not be lost, but have eternal life.
John 3:16, (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, daughter 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.
Max lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
