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 Jesus’ instructions to His disciples – here’s how to get joy!
Read by Vera Lynn
John 15:9-11
I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
John 15:9-11 (NCV)
Think of a city on a sunny day. Out in the open it’s bright and warm, but in the shadows between the buildings it’s dark and cold. If we want to enjoy the fullest possible warmth, we need to remain in the sunshine.
God’s love is like the sunshine. When we remain in God’s love, when we allow God’s love into the deepest parts of our lives, Jesus says that we will experience joy – the fullest possible joy.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is a bit of a tricky one, so let’s take a bit of time with it: What difference does love make in our lives?
Let’s close our eyes and imagine that bright sunny day again. As we feel the warmth of the sun on our faces, let’s receive it as God’s love for us.
Father God, we ASK You to help us remain in Your love, to receive Your love into every part of our lives.
People sometimes feel like they’re living in a shadow. Life feels cold and dark and difficult. Perhaps it’s because of something bad or sad that has happened, or maybe they don’t know why they feel that way.
Father God, we pray for those we know who feel like they’re in a shadow at the moment. We ASK You to shine like the sun in their lives. May they feel hope and joy again.
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.
John 15:9-11
I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father’s commands, and I remain in his love. In the same way, if you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you can have the same joy I have and so that your joy will be the fullest possible joy.
John 15:9-11 (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 a big YES to receiving Your love. We want the warmth and the joy of Your love to soak into every part of our lives – to change us from the inside out.
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.
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.
