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6 Practices - Psalms

Music And Singing

Week: Creativity

  • P.R.A.Y
  • Pause
  • Rejoice
  • Reflect
  • Ask
  • Yes
Phil Kate
With Phil and Kate
Welcome to Lectio for Families. We’re continuing our series based on the book of Psalms and the six practices which are at the heart of Lectio for Families and 24-7 Prayer. This week, we’re focusing on the practice of creativity.

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.


Pause

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

Prayer of Welcome

Creator God, who formed us from dust, breathe in us again. We’re ready for the new things that You want to show us and say to us and even create through us today.


Rejoice

Memory Verse

We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:

God, help us to remember Your Word.


Reflect

Bible Reading

Today, we’re REFLECTING on music and singing and how they can help us draw closer to God.

Read by Kate
Psalm 149:3-5
They should praise him with dancing.
They should sing praises to him with tambourines and harps.
The Lord is pleased with his people;
he saves the humble.
Let those who worship him rejoice in his glory.
Let them sing for joy even in bed!
Psalm 149:3-5 (NCV)

Scientists say that music can actually be good for us. When we listen to music, when we sing and play instruments, it can do good things for our hearts, our mind and our bodies, and it can even help us feel closer to other people too.*

It can be the same with God too. When we listen to music or when we sing, it can help us feel closer to God. The great thing is that it doesn’t have to be a particular style of music (or even good music) the Bible just says to make a joyful noise to the Lord. (Psalm 100:1, ESV)

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What’s our favourite song or piece of music at the moment?

  • PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.

Father God, we thank You for the gift of music and singing, and the ways that these can draw us closer to You. We ASK You to help us remember that we can worship You with music and singing anytime and anywhere… even in bed, like it said in today’s Psalm.

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Who do we know that can play instruments really well, or is a fantastic singer?

Creator God, we pray for those who write songs and compose music, for those who play instruments, and for those who sing too. We ASK You to help them use their creative gifts to help others draw closer to You.

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Yes

Bible Reading

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.

Psalm 149:3-5
They should praise him with dancing.
They should sing praises to him with tambourines and harps.
The Lord is pleased with his people;
he saves the humble.
Let those who worship him rejoice in his glory.
Let them sing for joy even in bed!
Psalm 149:3-5 (NCV)

What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and tell each other

YES Prayer

And now, let’s say YES to God together.

Loving God, we really do want to worship You, with our singing, our dancing and our instruments. We say YES to being brave and unashamed, to singing loudly – whether we’re in tune or out tune, it really doesn’t matter – because You’re worth it.

If we’ve got some time now, let’s find and play a favourite worship song on our device, and let’s sing along.

Pause

Memory Verse

After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:

Closing Prayer

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.

*https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/science-choice/202111/how-music-brings-people-together

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Your Memory Verse

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Phil

Phil

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.

Kate

Kate

Kate is 11 and lives in Melbourne Australia, with her parents, younger sister, and puppy Leo. Kate loves visual arts, reading, playing basketball and spending time with her family.

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