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.
Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus about the gifts God gives us to get through life, and today we’re REFLECTING on how we can use some of these to overcome some of the bad things that happen in our world.
Read by Max
Ephesians 6:12-13
Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.
Ephesians 6:12-13 (NCV)
Paul makes it clear to the Ephesians that their fight isn’t really against other people, but against evil in the world. And it’s the same for us as well. When we hear about people being violent, nations at war with each other or about big corporations ruining the environment, it’s tempting to point our fingers, but people are never really the enemy. Evil is the enemy; things like hatred, greed, selfishness, and cruelty – and Paul says that God has given us everything we need to take our stand against evil in the world.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Have we ever worn armour or some kind of protective clothing? Maybe as part of a costume, or when we’ve been helping with DIY, or when we’ve been learning about history in school?
And now, we ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us take a stand against evil in some small way today, whether by choosing not to be selfish, or by being kind, or by forgiving someone instead of holding onto a grudge.
In many parts of the world people are hated simply because of what they believe. This is called ‘persecution’. Let’s take a stand and pray for those who are experiencing this evil today.
Loving God, we ASK You to strengthen Christians around the world who are being persecuted because they follow You. May they be an example to those around them, so that more people would know Your love.
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 6:12-13
Our fight is not against people on earth but against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness, against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. That is why you need to put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.
Ephesians 6:12-13 (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 taking our stand against evil in the world. Help us to stand strong, knowing that You are fighting alongside us, and that You have already overcome evil.
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!
