Week: Holy Spirit Adventures
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
Holy Spirit, like the disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, we’re patiently waiting for You to fill us with Your power and with Your presence. We’re ready for You to send us on new adventures.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Bella
John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.
John 3:8 (NIVUK)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
After Paul left Athens he travelled to the city of Corinth, where he encountered lots of trouble. Today, we’re REFLECTING on how the Holy Spirit continued to encourage him.
Read by Bella
Acts 18:9-10
During the night, the Lord told Paul in a vision: ‘Don’t be afraid. Continue talking to people and don’t be quiet. I am with you, and no one will hurt you because many of my people are in this city.’ Paul stayed there for a year and a half, teaching God’s word to the people.
Acts 18:9-10 (NCV)
Paul had lots of Holy Spirit Adventures, but they weren’t always easy, and they didn’t always go smoothly. He was lied about, beaten up, thrown into prison and he had to leave some of the cities that he visited because people even wanted to kill him! There were probably times when he felt lonely, discouraged and a bit scared too.
On this occasion though, just when he needed it, God gave Paul a vision to encourage him and help him to keep going. The great thing about going on Holy Spirit Adventures is that God goes with us – God gives us everything we need to keep going.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When we feel lonely, discouraged or afraid, what are some things that help us to keep going?
Is there anything that we are feeling lonely, discouraged or afraid about at the moment? Let’s quietly talk with God about how we’re feeling.
Loving God, we give these situations and all the things that we’re feeling over to You. We ASK you to fill us with the Holy Spirit – be with us and encourage our hearts now.
Maybe there’s someone else that we know who may be feeling alone, discouraged or afraid right now. Let’s quietly pray our own prayers for them.
What could we do to encourage them over the next couple of days?
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.
Acts 18:9-10
During the night, the Lord told Paul in a vision: ‘Don’t be afraid. Continue talking to people and don’t be quiet. I am with you, and no one will hurt you because many of my people are in this city.’ Paul stayed there for a year and a half, teaching God’s word to the people.
Acts 18:9-10 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Holy Spirit, we say YES to going on adventures with You. We say YES to remembering that You promise to be with us, especially when we’re alone, discouraged or afraid. We also say YES to encouraging those around us too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 3:8
The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.
John 3:8 (NIVUK)
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.
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
Bella is 13 years old and lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with her mum, dad and cocker spaniel Summer. She loves art, performing and Jesus!
