Week: Joy
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.
As usual, 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, it’s You who helps 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 Vera Lynn
Philippians 4:4
Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.
Philippians 4:4 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on some pretty awesome verses from the book of Hebrews about what Jesus has done for us.
Read by Vera Lynn
Hebrews 12:2-3
Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NCV)
The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus accepted and endured the shame and the pain of being crucified on the cross ‘because of the joy… before him’, but what does that mean?
What joy was ‘before’ Jesus? Was it the joy of the shame and pain being over soon? Or was it the joy of being brought back to life by God – resurrected – a couple of days later? Most Bible-experts believe that the joy before Jesus was actually… us! It was because He loved us that Jesus was willing to accept and endure the shame and the pain, knowing that what He was doing would save us.
At the end of today’s Bible passage, the writer says, ‘do not get tired and stop trying.’ Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What things in our lives do we have to try really hard to do well?
What good thing do we feel like giving up on at the moment because we’re tired of trying? Perhaps we’re struggling with a difficult friendship, or we’re not talking with God or reading our Bibles regularly, or something else?
Lord Jesus, we’re inspired by Your example. You didn’t give up. You accepted and endured to the end because of Your great love for us. We ASK You to give us strength to keep doing good.
In today’s Bible verses it says that ‘wicked people were doing evil things to Jesus’. Sadly, there are still places in the world where people are persecuted and imprisoned simply for following Jesus.*
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to give those who suffer in this way the strength and courage that they need to not give up.
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.
Hebrews 12:2-3
Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect. He suffered death on the cross. But he accepted the shame as if it were nothing because of the joy that God put before him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. Think about Jesus’ example. He held on while wicked people were doing evil things to him. So do not get tired and stop trying.
Hebrews 12:2-3 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, it’s amazing to know that we are Your joy – we are the focus of Your attention and Your affection. And so we say YES, You are our joy too. Help us to focus our attention and our affection on You.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Philippians 4:4
Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.
Philippians 4:4 (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.
*To find out more about how to pray for Christians who are persecuted and imprisoned for their faith, visit www.opendoors.org
Chris lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two boys. He works for 24-7 Prayer Australia and Red Church and is also a professional musician. When he’s not working or drumming Chris enjoys going on long hikes in the mountains with his boys and playing table tennis.
Vera Lynn lives in Phoenix, Arizona, USA with her parents, sister, and dog Max. Her favourite hobbies include reading, knitting, sewing, and embroidery. She is very creative. Her favourite book is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in the Chronicles of Narnia series by CS Lewis.
