Welcome to Lectio for Families. In the Bible, we’re told that God created us to worship him, and so we’ve set aside this special week to explore how and why we worship.

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, thank You that as we draw close to You, You promise to draw close to us. We need You today. Our hearts are ready. Help us to hear Your voice.

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 one of David’s Psalms, in which he tells us that creation itself worships God.

Read by Kumi
Psalm 96:11-13
Let’s hear it from Sky,
With Earth joining in,
And a huge round of applause from Sea.
Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,
Animals, come dance,
Put every tree of the forest in the choir –
An extravaganza before God as he comes,
As he comes to set everything right on earth,
Set everything right, treat everyone fair.
Psalm 96:11-13 (MSG)

All around the world, God’s creation is worshipping Him – not just human beings, but even nature itself is praising God. Our Bible reading today speaks of the sea clapping and trees singing! Later on in the Bible, Jesus even says that if we forget to worship, the rocks themselves will cry out to God. Of course, the sea and the trees and the rocks aren’t actually doing these things, but it’s a poetic reminder that everything exists to worship Creator God.

Sometimes, being outside in nature can help us to worship. There, we see the beautiful world that God has made, and also that the world is somehow singing back its thanks to God. Whenever we worship, we join in with the praise that the earth gives God, day and night.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What’s the most beautiful or awesome thing we’ve seen in nature recently?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

Let’s thank God for some of the things we’ve just been talking about.

Creator God, we thank You for everything that you’ve made. We ASK you to help us to look after your wonderful world, and to join all of creation in worshipping you, who made us all.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

When God created us he gave us the incredible job of ‘stewarding’ or looking after the world.

Creator God, we pray for those who are working to protect and care for the world and everything in it – your Creation. We ASK you to give them the resources they need to do the best possible job.

• 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 96:11-13
Let’s hear it from Sky,
With Earth joining in,
And a huge round of applause from Sea.
Let Wilderness turn cartwheels,
Animals, come dance,
Put every tree of the forest in the choir –
An extravaganza before God as he comes,
As he comes to set everything right on earth,
Set everything right, treat everyone fair.
Psalm 96:11-13 (MSG)

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.

Creator God, we choose to worship you today! We say YES to joining with everything that you have made in worship to you!

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.