Week: The Advent Voices - OT Prophecy
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
Lord Jesus, we are excited to be celebrating Your birth this Christmas. Amongst all the busyness of this season – all the planning and the preparations – please help us to pause and be still. We open our ears to hear You now, and we prepare our hearts to receive You once again.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Liliwyn
Isaiah 9:6
His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God,
Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6b (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re REFLECTING on another prophecy that God gave to Isaiah about Jesus and what He would come to do.
Read by Liliwyn
Isaiah 42:1, 3-4
‘Here is my servant, the one I support.
He is the one I chose, and I am pleased with him.
I have put my Spirit upon him,
and he will bring justice to all nations.
He will truly bring justice;
he will not lose hope or give up
until he brings justice to the world.
And people far away will trust his teachings.’
Isaiah 42:1, 3b-4 (NCV)
The justice that Jesus brings isn’t like what we’d expect from the superheroes in DC’s Justice League. It isn’t about catching villains – it’s about looking after those who are most vulnerable in our world – orphans, widows, immigrants, those who are poor.
Jesus encourages us to do the same, to ‘bring justice to all nations’ too by loving those around us and working to make things right, especially for those who are poor and those who are vulnerable.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Who is our favourite superhero and what do we like about them?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, You invite us to be bringers of Your justice to those around us, and to the world. We ASK You to put Your Spirit on us – to fill us up to overflowing. Help us to love others deeply and to make things right in the world.
There are many charities and organisations working across the world to see justice where it is most needed – to help make things right. Let’s think of one that we know now as we pray.
Father God, we ASK that You would bless all the charities who are working to bring justice in the world. Help them to make things right and bring Your hope and healing into people’s lives.
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.
Isaiah 42:1, 3-4
‘Here is my servant, the one I support.
He is the one I chose, and I am pleased with him.
I have put my Spirit upon him,
and he will bring justice to all nations.
He will truly bring justice;
he will not lose hope or give up
until he brings justice to the world.
And people far away will trust his teachings.’
Isaiah 42:1, 3b-4 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Loving God, we say YES to more of Your justice for those who are vulnerable and those in need. Show us what action we can take to make things right where there is unfairness and injustice around us.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Isaiah 9:6
His name will be Wonderful Counselor, Powerful God,
Father Who Lives Forever, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6b (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.
Liliwyn is 16 and lives in Kansas City, USA, with her parents, sisters and dogs. She is a good friend and enjoys designing, music, traveling, math and watching American Football (especially the KC Chiefs).
