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 Eli
Matthew 7:7
[Jesus said] Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 (NIVUK)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Shortly after Jesus had died and come back to life again, he told 120 of his followers to wait and pray together, because something incredible was going to happen. Today we’re REFLECTING on the day the Church was born.
Read by Eli
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, [the disciples] were all together in one place. Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages.
Acts 2:1-4a (NCV)
On 5th September 1999, a group of young people set up a prayer room in Chichester, in England. They created a rota for themselves and filled a few weeks with non-stop praying. The Holy Spirit filled them and did some amazing things with them – there were a few miracles, and some of their friends became Christians. More 24-7 Prayer rooms soon popped up in other places… like festivals, campervans, churches, homes and even in schools. In the 25 years since 24-7 Prayer began, millions of people have joined in with this movement of prayer, mission and justice, from more than half the countries in the world. *
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When have we visited a 24-7 prayer room, or maybe another place where people pray? What can we remember about it?
Jesus told His followers to stay together and wait for the Holy Spirit to come.
Holy Spirit, we need You, just like the disciples did. We ASK You to come and fill us; give us everything we need to follow Jesus this week.
We also pray for our church, and for other Christian friends that we know. Holy Spirit, we ASK You to fill us too. Fill our relationships. Fill our children’s groups and youth groups. Fill our projects. And more than anything, make us a people of prayer.
If our church isn’t already hosting a 24-7 Prayer room, maybe we could get one started! Who could we talk to about this?
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.
Acts 2:1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, [the disciples] were all together in one place. Suddenly a noise like a strong, blowing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw something like flames of fire that were separated and stood over each person there. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak different languages.
Acts 2:1-4a (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we’re so thankful for the women and men who listened to your voice 25 years ago and who said yes to the prayer adventure you were inviting them on. Holy Spirit, we say YES to You. Give us courage to listen to your voice and to do whatever you’re asking us to do too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Matthew 7:7
[Jesus said] Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Matthew 7:7 (NIVUK)
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 the 24-7 Prayer movement, visit https://www.24-7prayer.com/
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.
Eli is 11 and lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.
