Week: Holy Week
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
Lord Jesus, as we journey through Holy Week together, we remember that You chose to suffer and die because of Your great love for us. We also remember that You rose from the dead, and that You’re alive today. We look forward to meeting with You in new ways this week.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Max
Revelation 1:18
[Jesus said] I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever!
Revelation 1:18a (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Shortly after Jesus had died, a man went to Pontius Pilate and asked if he could take Jesus’ body away and put it into his own tomb. Pilate was surprised that Jesus had died so quickly – it usually took people a lot longer – so he checked with one of his soldiers.
Read by Max
Mark 15:45-47
The officer told Pilate that [Jesus] was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought some linen cloth, took the body down from the cross, and wrapped it in the linen. He put the body in a tomb that was cut out of a wall of rock. Then he rolled a very large stone to block the entrance of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw the place where Jesus was laid.
Mark 15:45-47 (NCV)
Earlier in this chapter, Mark writes that ‘some women were standing at a distance from the cross, watching’ (Mark 15:40a, NCV) as Jesus struggled through His final moments. It must’ve been incredibly hard, especially for Jesus’ mother, but these women stayed until the very end. And now, as Joseph of Arimathea puts Jesus’ body into his tomb, once again we see two of the women, watching and waiting. We know how the story ends tomorrow but the women watching didn’t yet know and at this moment they must have been heartbroken.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What’s the hardest thing we’ve had to wait for?
Even though we know Jesus is alive and always with us there can be times, like the women on Holy Saturday, when we feel alone, afraid, confused or even heartbroken.
On this Holy Saturday let’s be silent for a moment and bring all of our emotions to God.
Joseph cared for Jesus’ body after He had died. Let’s pray for those whose job it is to care for people, especially those who may not be able to care for themselves. People like nurses, doctors, and other carers. If we know someone with a job like this, let’s whisper their names as we pray together.
Loving Father, we ASK You to care for these workers as they care for others. Remind them of Your promise that everything they do for others, they do for You too. (Matthew 25:40)
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.
Mark 15:45-47
The officer told Pilate that [Jesus] was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought some linen cloth, took the body down from the cross, and wrapped it in the linen. He put the body in a tomb that was cut out of a wall of rock. Then he rolled a very large stone to block the entrance of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw the place where Jesus was laid.
Mark 15:45-47 (NCV)
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 staying close to You, just like the women in today’s Bible story even when we feel uncertain or unsure of what is ahead. We wait for you.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Revelation 1:18
[Jesus said] I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever!
Revelation 1:18a (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.
Max is 9 years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
