Week: How to Hear God
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
Father God, we’re listening. We look forward to what You want to say to us today, through the Bible, through other people, through what we see and hear around us, even through our hearts. Help us to hear You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Jackson J
1 Samuel 3:10
The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’
Samuel said, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.’
1 Samuel 3:10 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on something that happened just after Jesus’ death and resurrection. Two of Jesus’ followers were walking home to the town of Emmaus on the same day that Jesus was raised from the dead – but they hadn’t heard the good news… yet!
Read by Jackson J
Luke 24:13-16
That same day two of Jesus’ followers were going to a town named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about everything that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and began walking with them, but they were kept from recognizing him.
Luke 24:13-16 (NCV)
It’s hard to imagine how these two friends might have been feeling after Jesus had been killed. Maybe they felt sad and disappointed. Maybe they felt angry. Maybe they felt confused or afraid. And yet Jesus was right there with them – they were listening to him talk, but they didn’t recognise him. Somehow, they couldn’t see what was right in front of them – that Jesus was actually alive and with them.
It’s hard for us to see or believe that Jesus is right here with us. Sometimes, we need Jesus to show us what He’s doing, and where He’s working. We need Jesus to open our eyes, just like he did for these two friends later in the story (v.31).
The two men in today’s Bible story were on a long walk with Jesus. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: If we were going on a really long walk, who would we like to bring with us and why?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Father God, we ASK You to open our eyes so that we can see Jesus with us, to see what He’s doing and where He’s working in our lives, each and every day.
Let’s think of someone we know who isn’t a Christian – someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to come alongside them, just like You did with those two friends on the Emmaus road. And we ASK that they would see you, and know that you are with them.
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 24:13-16
That same day two of Jesus’ followers were going to a town named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking about everything that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and began walking with them, but they were kept from recognizing him.
Luke 24:13-16 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s point to our eyes and say YES to God together.
YES Lord, we want to see you. As we pray at the end of every Lectio for Families episode, help us to see You… and to see others the way that You see them too.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
1 Samuel 3:10
The Lord came and stood there and called as he had before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’
Samuel said, ‘Speak, Lord. I am your servant and I am listening.’
1 Samuel 3:10 (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.
* To find out more about Pete Greig’s book go to https://www.24-7prayer.com/how-to-hear-god/
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.
Jackson is 11 and he lives in Chichester, on the south coast of England, with his parents and his sister. He loves Pokemon (who doesn’t?), music and having fun with his friends.
