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 Max
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him, to all who truly pray to him.
Psalm 145:18 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Jesus talked with kindness and compassion to those around Him about what it’s like to walk with Him. Today, we’re REFLECTING on what His words mean for us.
Read by Max
Matthew 11:28-30
[Jesus said] ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
We can all remember times when we’ve been tired, when our body ached so much we didn’t want to move, or our brain was so overwhelmed we just couldn’t think clearly. Jesus says that the best thing to do when we feel like this is to spend time with Him because He always understands what we need.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When can we remember being so tired we could barely move or think straight?
And now, we ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You want to help us and give us rest. We ASK that You would help us to pause, especially when we’re in the busy, tired, and worn out bits of our lives.
Perhaps we could find a quiet place to go for a short walk, with our only purpose being to try to be aware of God being with us, in us and for us.
Loving Father, we also ASK You to give special peace and rest to those who suffer with anxiety or depression or other mental health issues. And if there’s someone we know who suffers in this way, show us how we can helpfully love and support 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.
Matthew 11:28-30
[Jesus said] ‘Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.’
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we know that walking and working with You is the best way to live our lives. We say YES to watching how You do things and following Your example. Help us to live freely and lightly.
Pause
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 145:18
The Lord is close to everyone who prays to him, to all who truly pray to him.
Psalm 145:18 (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.
Content from today’s Lectio for Families is adapted from Pete Greig and Gemma Hunt’s book, ‘How to Pray: A Guide for Young Explorers’ (Hodder & Stoughton, 2022). Why not order your own copy? https://www.24-7prayer.com/resource/how-to-pray-a-guide-for-young-explorers/
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.
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!
