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.
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 this week’s memory verse:
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.
Today is known as Easter Saturday, or Holy Saturday, and we’re REFLECTING on what happened immediately after Jesus died on the cross.
Read by Max
Matthew 27:57-60
That evening a rich man named Joseph, a follower of Jesus from the town of Arimathea, came to Jerusalem. Joseph went to Pilate and asked to have Jesus’ body. So Pilate gave orders for the soldiers to give it to Joseph. Then Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. He put Jesus’ body in a new tomb that he had cut out of a wall of rock, and he rolled a very large stone to block the entrance of the tomb. Then Joseph went away.
Matthew 27:57-60 (NCV)
Let’s all take a deep breath and hold it in for a few seconds. How are we doing? OK, let’s let it out again. When we say that we’re ‘holding our breath’ it usually means that we’re waiting for something exciting to happen.
When Jesus died on the cross, He didn’t come back to life again straight away. On Easter Saturday, the day after He’d died, Jesus’ body remained in Joseph’s tomb, and it felt like all of Heaven and earth was holding its breath, waiting to see if the Son of God would stay dead or not.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What do we think it must have felt like on Easter Saturday for Jesus’ disciples? What sort of emotions would they have experienced?
What have we been asking God for in prayer and it feels like we’re holding our breath, waiting for an answer? Maybe we’ve been asking God for guidance? Maybe we’ve been praying for a sick friend to get well? Maybe we’ve been praying for something to change?
Father God, we ASK You to help us be still and trust You.
Joseph cared for Jesus’ body after He had died. Who do we know that cares for other people, especially those who care for people who are unable to care for themselves. Perhaps it’s their job – like a nurse or a social worker – or perhaps it’s someone who cares for a family member.
Loving Father, we ASK that You would be with care-givers as they look after people who may be sick or even dying. Give them comfort, strength and hope as they have the difficult task of caring for others.
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 27:57-60
That evening a rich man named Joseph, a follower of Jesus from the town of Arimathea, came to Jerusalem. Joseph went to Pilate and asked to have Jesus’ body. So Pilate gave orders for the soldiers to give it to Joseph. Then Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. He put Jesus’ body in a new tomb that he had cut out of a wall of rock, and he rolled a very large stone to block the entrance of the tomb. Then Joseph went away.
Matthew 27:57-60 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Father God, the Bible encourages us to ‘be joyful because we have hope, to be patient when trouble comes, and to pray at all times.’ (Romans 12:12) and we say YES to all of this. We’ll keep praying, and we will wait on Your timing, even when things are difficult. And we will be joyful too, because there is always hope.
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!
