Week: Peace
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
Holy Spirit, You help us grow, each and every day, into who God made us to be. We’re ready to be changed a little bit more by You today.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Kumi
Philippians 4:7
And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on what it means to be fully dressed in God’s power, which includes wearing the most incredible pair of shoes.
Read by Kumi
Ephesians 6:10-11,15
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong.
Ephesians 6:10-11,15 (NCV)
What are we wearing right now? Hopefully, it’s suitable for whatever we’re about to do. In today’s verses, Paul describes a suit of armour that God gives to everyone who believes in Jesus.
It’s not real armour, of course, but it represents what God wants our lives to be wrapped in. God wants to protect us from ‘the devil’s evil tricks’. And God wants us to wear shoes of peace and strength too. He wants us to ‘stand strong’ in our faith in Jesus.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What are the most comfortable shoes we’ve ever worn? Which were the most uncomfortable?
Let’s grab our pens and write the word ‘peace’ onto a small piece of paper. And now, let’s put it in one of our shoes as a reminder that God has given us ‘shoes of peace and strength’.
Lord Jesus, help us to remember that wherever we go, whoever we are with, You want us to wear ‘shoes of peace and strength’. We ASK You to help us bring peace to others – to be more calm, more patient and more loving. And help us to stand strong in our faith in Jesus too.
Now, let’s pray for places or situations that need more of God’s peace.
Lord Jesus, we pray for Christians who are in places or situations around the world where there is conflict and war. We ASK You to give them ‘shoes of peace and strength’ to wear. May they be peace-bringers and peace-makers in dangerous places and difficult situations.
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.
Ephesians 6:10-11,15
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong.
Ephesians 6:10-11,15 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we say YES to wearing Your shoes of peace and strength wherever we go, whoever we’re with.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Philippians 4:7
And God’s peace, which is so great we cannot understand it, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (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.
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
Kumkanikazi (Kumi) lives In Johannesburg, South Africa with her parents and 4 siblings.
You’ll often find her in a stylish outfit, baking up a storm or creating videos.
