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.
Throughout Jesus’ life, crowds of people followed him, eager to hear him speak or to experience his miracles. Today, we’re REFLECTING on one of the things that Jesus often did when this happened.
Read by Eli
Luke 5:15-16
But the news about Jesus spread even more. Many people came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses, but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.
Luke 5:15-16 (NCV)
Jesus slipped away to pray whenever he needed to. The Gospels tell us that Jesus went away to pray lots of times, such as when he was about to start his ministry, when he had big decisions to make, when he felt heart-broken or under pressure. Jesus needed to pray.
When things get hard in life, people often Google-search for ‘prayer’. It’s at times when people are experiencing things that are difficult or even feel that circumstances are out of their control that people look to prayer for help. People need to pray. We all need to pray.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What are the different times and places we pray? Is it at bedtime, or when we’re with a group at church, or is it when we’re walking somewhere?
When Jesus’ disciples saw when and how He prayed, they realised that something was missing in their own prayer lives.
Lord Jesus, just like Your disciples, we ASK You now, please teach us how to pray. Teach us how to talk with God.
Let’s each think for a moment – when and where could we slip away to pray this week, even for just a few minutes?
Now let’s close our eyes and imagine those who may be Googling ‘how do I pray?’ right now; those who are trying to find God.
Loving God, we ASK You to draw close to those who are searching for You. May they bump into others who do know You and who can help them to find You.
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.
Luke 5:15-16
But the news about Jesus spread even more. Many people came to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses, but Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray.
Luke 5:15-16 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, our lives feel pretty full. There are people to see, there’s homework to do, and we all have jobs and responsibilities. But You were never too busy to pray. So we say YES to following Your example by making prayer our priority.
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.
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/
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.