Week: How to Pray...
As usual, 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
Our Father in heaven, we know that You are with us and that You want to talk with us – so we respond very simply by saying: ‘Here we are, we’re ready. Teach us how to pray.’
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Max
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him, to all who truly pray to him.
Psalm 145:18 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re REFLECTING on how we can make things right with God through prayer.
Read by Max
1 John 1:8-9
If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.
1 John 1:8-9 (NCV)
Sin is the word that the Bible uses for ‘anything we think, say, or do that makes God sad because we’re doing it our way instead of God’s way.’ We all do things our way instead of God’s way sometimes and we might find ourselves feeling guilty or even ashamed of what we’ve said or done. But here’s the really good news – when we talk to God about it, and when we tell Him we’re sorry, not only does He forgive us but he cleans up those guilty feelings too.
Forgiveness is God’s way of cleaning us up on the inside. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When have we been really muddy or dirty on the outside?
The Bible says that God separates us from our sin ‘as far as the east is from west’ (Psalm 103:12, NCV). Let’s stretch our arms out as wide as we can as we pray to help us remember this promise.
Father, You are a compassionate God. We ASK that You would forgive us for the thoughts, words, or things that we have done today that are not the way of Jesus. As we turn away from these things, change us to become more like You Jesus.
The wrong things that we think, say, or do can sometimes spoil our friendships and relationships.
Loving God, show us where we have thought, said, or done something that may have hurt someone. Help us to put things right again.
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.
1 John 1:8-9
If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.
1 John 1:8-9 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Father God, we say YES to coming to You regularly to confess our sins. We know that You will forgive us and clean us from feeling guilty. Help us to tell You even when it’s hard. We want to be more like You made us to be every day.
Pause
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him, to all who truly pray to him.
Psalm 145:18 (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.
Content from today’s Lectio for Families is adapted from Pete Greig and Gemma Hunt’s book, ‘How to Pray: A Guide for Young Explorers’ (Hodder & Stoughton, 2022). Why not order your own copy? https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/how-to-pray-a-guide-for-young-explorers/
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
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!
