Welcome to Lectio for Families. We’re continuing our series based on the book of Psalms and the six practices which are at the heart of Lectio for Families and 24-7 Prayer. These six practices are: prayer and creativity, justice and hospitality, learning and mission, and this week, we’re focusing on the practice of mission.

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

God of rescue and restoration, thank You for Your beautiful mission to save the whole world. Here we are, Lord. Fill us with Your Spirit, and send us so that we can join in with Your mission.

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 short Psalm with a big message.

Read by Annika
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For his unfailing love for us is powerful;
the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
Psalm 117 (NCV)

There are 150 Psalms in the Bible and Psalm 117 is the shortest – it is described as a ‘song of praise’ and it only has two verses. However, it contains a massive message… that God’s unfailing, unending, powerful love is for everyone!

We don’t know who wrote Psalm 117, but it was written hundreds of years before Jesus was born and before God’s mission – God’s Great Plan – was fully revealed through Jesus. And yet, this Psalm gives us a taste of what is to come. One day people from every nation will know that God loves them, and they will praise Him.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Have we ever made up a song? What was it about?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

This week we’ll be reading and praying about God’s mission, God’s Great Plan to save the world and everyone in it. But let’s begin by remembering that God doesn’t just love the whole world… God also loves us – you and me.

Loving God, we ASK You to show us just a little bit more of Your love for us – help us to receive Your love deeply.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

The writer of today’s Psalm begins with the words, ‘Praise the Lord, all you nations.’ What nation is on our mind or in our heart at the moment? Maybe we know someone in that nation, or we’ve heard about something that is happening in that nation.

Let’s quietly pray our own prayers for those in other nations now.

• 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.

Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For his unfailing love for us is powerful;
the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
Psalm 117 (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.

Loving God, we join with the writer of today’s Psalm in praising You, because You are awesome and wonderful. We say YES to receiving Your unfailing, unending, powerful love into our lives, and to loving others with that same love too.

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.