Week: Love (Lent)
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, it’s You who helps 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.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
Psalm 89:2
I will say, ‘Your love continues forever; your loyalty goes on and on like the sky.’
Psalm 89:2 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we are reading once again from the letter that Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, and we’re REFLECTING on what he said about the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Read by Eli
Galatians 5:22-23
But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong.
Galatians 5:22-23 (NCV)
What pops into our minds when we hear the word ‘love’? Maybe it’s red hearts, a hug from a special person or… chocolate!
One dictionary says the word love means to feel deep affection for someone. But the Bible says something incredible. In 1 John it says that ‘God is love’ (4:16, NCV). It’s not just that God is loving, it’s that He is love itself. And so, God’s deep affection, or love, is for everyone, and everything. He can’t help it; all He can do is love!
Love is definitely about more than chocolate bars, but for now, let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What is our favourite chocolate?
God can’t help but love us, and everyone else too. Sometimes it can be hard to believe that we are love-able. So, let’s take a moment to remind ourselves.
Father God, You are love. We ASK You to help us believe this important truth as we go through each day. Whatever happens, however we’re feeling, You always have enough love for us.
God loves us, and if we have God’s love in us, we can give it away, too. Let’s think about how we can give away God’s love this week!
Loving God, we ASK You to open our eyes to see someone who really needs to know that they are loved. Help us know how best to surprise them with Your love!
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.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong.
Galatians 5:22-23 (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 the good fruit that You are growing in our lives. We want all the fruit of the Spirit, but we’re particularly ASKing that You grow more love in us and through us this week.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 89:2
I will say, ‘Your love continues forever; your loyalty goes on and on like the sky.’
Psalm 89:2 (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.
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.
Eli lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.
