Week: Who are we?
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
Awesome God, thank You for the many ways that you speak about who we are. Our minds are open to learning more and our hearts are open to knowing better who we have been created to be. We’re ready for You to speak to us.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Max
Genesis 1:27
So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.
Genesis 1:27 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on what it means to be a citizen of heaven.
Read by Max
Philippians 3:20-21
But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
Philippians 3:20-21 (MSG)
If we’ve got a passport, it will say what country we’re a citizen of – it says something about where we belong. When we give our lives to Jesus, we belong to Him – it’s like we all get given a new spiritual passport that says ‘country of origin: heaven’!
We’re not really talking about another country though – we’re talking about wherever Jesus is working to bring heaven to earth in the country that we’re in now, and in every other country around the world. Because we belong to Him – because we are His citizens – Jesus invites us to join in with what He’s doing, too.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: If we could grab a passport and head anywhere in the world right now, where would we go?
And now we ask God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, thank You that wherever we’re from, You invite us to belong with You. Help us to remember that our citizenship with You is more important than our citizenship of any country on earth.
There are more than 114 million people in our world today who have been forced to leave the actual places where they live and belong because of war, violence and human-rights issues.*
Merciful God, we pray for individuals and families who have been forced to leave the places they call home. God, You know all their names and You love them. Keep them safe, provide them with the care and protection that they need, and help them to know your peace.
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.
Philippians 3:20-21
But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
Philippians 3:20-21 (MSG)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, You’ve made us citizens of heaven and we say YES to living, here and now, like we belong to You. Help us to be people who bring joy and hope, faith and generosity to the world around us.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Genesis 1:27
So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.
Genesis 1:27 (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.
* Taken from https://www.unrefugees.org/refugee-facts/statistics/, 2nd May 2024
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.
Max is 9 years old and 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!
