Week: Prayer
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
Father God, as we draw near to You, please draw near to us too. Teach us to pray. Speak, Lord, we’re listening.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Hubo
Philippians 4:6
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.
Philippians 4:6 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on the practice of prayer and some of the different ways that we can pray to God, starting with giving thanks.
Read by Hubo
Psalm 75:1
We thank you, O God!
We give thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 75:1 (NLT)
Sometimes when we pray, it’s like we come to God with a long shopping list of all the things that we think we need, or things that we’d like God to do for us.
It’s OK to ask God for things – in fact, the Bible tells us to do this – and we’ll come back to this later in the week, but what if we paused for a moment first to ask ourselves, what are we thankful for? Where have we recognised God doing things for us recently? When have we felt God’s presence with us? What prayers has God already answered?
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What are we especially thankful for today?
And now let’s ASK God to help us and others…
Father God, we’re grateful for all the things You do in and around our lives, and in the world too. We ASK You to help us to notice what You are doing a little bit more this week, so that we can give thanks.
Who would we particularly like to thank God for today? Maybe it’s a friend or someone in our family. Maybe it’s someone at school or from our church.
Father God, we thank You for the special people in our lives. They care for us, they make us laugh, they help us when things are difficult and they comfort us when we feel sad. We ASK You to show them how much you love them today.
Perhaps we could let them know how thankful we are for them?
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 75:1
We thank you, O God!
We give thanks because you are near.
People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.
Psalm 75:1 (NLT)
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 becoming more thankful – to growing an attitude of gratitude – each and every day.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Philippians 4:6
Do not worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks.
Philippians 4:6 (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 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.
Hubolodumo (Hubo) is 10 years old, and lives In Johannesburg, South Africa with his parents and 4 siblings.
When he’s not busy trying out ninja moves, he’s practicing the latest dance moves, playing soccer, drawing or playing games with his friends.
