Welcome to Lectio for Families. We are continuing to explore what’s called ‘the fruit of the Holy Spirit’ – the visible evidence that God lives in us and is changing us from the inside out. This week we are learning about how to grow the fruit of peace.

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

Holy Spirit, You help us grow, each and every day, into who God made us to be. We’re ready to be changed a little bit more by You today.

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 a really important verse in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi.

Read by Kumi
Philippians 4:6
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.
Philippians 4:6 (NCV)

We worry about all sorts of things, don’t we? We worry about not getting our homework done on time, and then we worry about whether we’ve got it right or not. We worry about how we look. Are we wearing the right things? What will our friends think? We worry about fitting in, and we worry about missing out. The list goes on and on and on and on!

And Paul understands. As we listen to today’s verse, let’s try to imagine him smiling gently as he says those first few words, ‘Don’t worry about anything…’ He’s not telling us off, but he’s offering us a way to not worry about things. First, pray about everything. And second, thank God – be grateful.

Let’s press pause in this safe place and talk honestly about today’s question, which is: What do we feel worried about at the moment?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

In Peter’s first letter he says, ‘Give all your worries to [God], because he cares for you.’ (1 Peter 5:7, ICB)

Father God, we bring our worries, our fears, and our anxieties to You. They feel big, and we sometimes feel a bit overwhelmed when we try to sort them out on our own. So, we give them to You, and we ASK You to give us Your peace instead.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Let’s also ASK God to help those who are feeling worried today, for whatever reason. If we know someone who feels like this, let’s hold them in our hearts and minds as we pray together.

Father God, You know everything about every one of us – the things we show on the outside and the things we feel on the inside. We ASK You to be with those who are feeling worried inside today. May Your peace be with them.

• 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.

Philippians 4:6
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.
Philippians 4:6 (NCV)

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.

Holy Spirit, we say YES to the good fruit that You are growing in our lives. Where worries have taken up space in our hearts and minds, we ASK You to replace them with peace.

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.