Week: How to Hear God
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, we’re listening. We look forward to what You want to say to us today, through the Bible, through other people, through what we see and hear around us, even through our hearts. Help us to hear You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Jackson J
1 Samuel 3:10
The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’
Samuel said, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.’
1 Samuel 3:10 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on how God guides us, gives us wisdom and directs our path through life.
Read by Jackson J
Isaiah 30:21
If you go the wrong way – to the right or to the left – you will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the right way. You should go this way.’
Isaiah 30:21 (NCV)
How cool is that? It sounds like having God as our own personal Satnav or GPS computer!
Some people think that God’s voice is formal, like a teacher or a leader. And some people think that God speaks in thunder and lighting, or in visions, or through angels… and all these things can happen. But the most likely way we’ll hear God speak is in a voice that we are familiar with, like a friend. God speaks to us in an everyday way, because he cares about the everyday things that are going on in our lives, as well as the big stuff. So we need to learn to listen for his familiar voice.
People use Satnav or GPS computer when they’re visiting new places. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What place or country that we’ve never been to before would we most like to visit?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Father God, like it says in today’s Bible reading, we want you to guide us – to tell us the right way to live our lives. We ASK you to help us hear your voice, and to give us courage to ASK you when we don’t know what to do or where to go.
Let’s pray for those who need God to help them with a big decision right now.
Father God, we ASK you to be with those who are wondering where to go and what to do. Maybe it’s something to do with a friendship or a job or where they live. We ASK you to speak to them and guide 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.
Isaiah 30:21
If you go the wrong way – to the right or to the left – you will hear a voice behind you saying, ‘This is the right way. You should go this way.’
Isaiah 30:21 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Heavenly Father, we say YES to listening carefully for your voice. We want to hear you say the words, ‘This is the right way. You should go this way.’
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
1 Samuel 3:10
The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’
Samuel said, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.’
1 Samuel 3:10 (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.
* To find out more about Pete Greig’s book go to https://www.24-7prayer.com/how-to-hear-god/
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.
Jackson is 11 and he lives in Chichester, on the south coast of England, with his parents and his sister. He loves Pokemon (who doesn’t?), music and having fun with his friends.
